Russia Launches Major Drone Assault on Zelensky’s Hometown

Russia conducted a significant drone assault on Ukraine, targeting President Volodymyr Zelensky‘s hometown, Kryvyi Rih, among other regions. Ukrainian officials reported that the attack, which occurred overnight into Wednesday, involved approximately 400 long-range drones and one missile, marking it as the largest offensive of the week. The Ukrainian Air Force indicated that this wave of attacks severely impacted multiple cities, including Kryvyi Rih, Kharkiv, and Vinnytsia, as well as parts of the Odesa region.

The head of Kryvyi Rih’s military administration, Oleksandr Vilkul, described the bombardment as the “most massive attack… since the beginning of the war.” This included a ballistic missile strike and 28 drones. The assault resulted in extensive damage, causing fires and leaving many residents without electricity and water. Zelensky confirmed that the strikes targeted energy infrastructure and reported that 15 individuals sustained injuries during the bombardment.

In the eastern city of Kharkiv, the mayor Ihor Terekhov noted that the city endured 16 strikes within just 14 minutes. Meanwhile, in Vinnytsia, located southwest of Kyiv, the attacks injured eight people and ignited fires in two infrastructure facilities. Response efforts were ongoing in several regions affected by the overnight strikes.

Over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian officials reported three fatalities due to shelling, including one in the Sumy region and two in Kharkiv, along with 38 additional injuries. These developments come in the context of a broader strategy shift from the US government towards Ukraine, as President Donald Trump announced new military aid, including Patriot missile systems, in a package coordinated through NATO.

During a recent statement, Trump expressed frustration with Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president, highlighting a stark change from his previously favorable stance. He emphasized the need for tougher measures against Russia, including potential “secondary tariffs” on nations purchasing Russian oil. Trump commented, “My conversations with him are very pleasant, and then the missiles go off at night,” indicating his discontent with the current state of dialogues and actions.

In response to Trump’s remarks, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov characterized the threats of sanctions as “very serious” and suggested that they would require careful consideration. Peskov noted that decisions made in Washington are perceived by Ukraine as indications to escalate conflict rather than pursue peace.

European foreign ministers have welcomed Trump’s announcement regarding military support for Ukraine. Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign affairs chief, remarked, “In order to have peace, we need to support Ukraine, and we need to put the pressure on Russia.” Kallas added that she hopes the US will continue to advance its sanctions package to exert additional pressure on Russia.

As the situation develops, the humanitarian impact of these attacks remains significant. Ukrainian officials continue to monitor the situation closely as they respond to the ongoing threats posed by Russian military actions.