Russia launches extensive drone and missile assault on Ukraine amidst ongoing diplomatic negotiations

KYIV, Ukraine Early on Saturday, Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone assault on Ukraine, following the announcement that U.S. and Ukrainian officials would continue their discussions for a third consecutive day. The attack involved 653 drones and 51 missiles, triggering air raid warnings across Ukraine, coinciding with the countrys Armed Forces Day celebrations, as confirmed by Ukraines air force on Saturday morning. Ukrainian forces successfully intercepted 585 drones and 30 missiles, while 29 locations were hit during the assault.

At least three individuals were reported injured in the Kyiv region, according to local authorities. Drones were spotted as far west as Lviv, in the western part of Ukraine. The offensive targeted power plants and vital energy infrastructure across multiple Ukrainian regions, as reported by Ukraines national energy provider, Ukrenergo, via Telegram. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that its air defenses shot down 116 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory in the same timeframe.

A Russian news channel on Telegram, Astra, alleged that Ukraine had attacked the Ryazan Oil Refinery in Russia, sharing footage that seemed to show a fire and smoke rising from the refinery. However, the Associated Press could not independently verify the authenticity of the video. Ukraine did not immediately comment on the reported attack. Ryazans regional governor, Pavel Malkov, confirmed that a residential building had been damaged due to a drone strike and that debris fell on an industrial site, although he did not specify whether the refinery was affected. Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian refineries in recent months have been aimed at disrupting Moscow's oil exports and reducing the revenue that funds its military operations.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials and their Western allies have accused Russia of targeting Ukraines energy grid, seeking to deny civilians access to electricity, heating, and running water for the fourth consecutive winter, a tactic Kyiv deems as weaponizing the cold. The latest wave of attacks coincided with U.S. President Donald Trumps advisors and Ukrainian representatives continuing their diplomatic talks on a potential security framework for postwar Ukraine. Despite some progress, both sides acknowledged that meaningful advancements toward a final agreement would depend on Russias willingness to commit to lasting peace.

Following the second day of discussions in Florida on Friday, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Ukrainian negotiators Rustem Umerov and Andriy Hnatov issued a statement, emphasizing that any concrete progress toward peace would require Russia to demonstrate its commitment to a long-term resolution. The talks are part of broader U.S. efforts to mediate a deal to end nearly four years of ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

Author: Caleb Jennings