Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for a mutual halt to aerial and naval attacks after Russia launched a massive drone and missile assault on Ukrainian energy facilities on Friday. The attacks struck critical infrastructure across the country, from Kharkiv in the east to Ternopil in the west, causing widespread damage and injuries.
“Ukraine is ready to pursue peace, and we have wanted peace from the very first moment of this war,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media. “The task is to force Russia to stop the war.”
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia fired at least 58 missiles and nearly 200 drones in the overnight assault. Ukrainian forces, including newly deployed French Mirage fighter jets, shot down 34 missiles and 100 drones, according to the Air Force.
Firefighters battled blazes in the Kharkiv region, where images showed streets lined with debris. Energy facilities in regions including Odesa and Poltava were also targeted, leading to disruptions in power and gas supplies.
International Reactions
In response to Zelenskyy’s call for a ceasefire, the Kremlin ruled out any temporary halt to its offensive. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the strikes, stating that they were aimed at Ukrainian military-industrial facilities using high-precision long-range weapons and drones.
“We are targeting facilities linked to Ukraine’s military-industrial complex,” said Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan voiced support for Zelenskyy’s truce proposal, stating, “We support the idea of establishing a ceasefire as soon as possible and stopping attacks in the air and at sea as a confidence-building measure between the parties.”
Meanwhile, the United States and Ukraine are set to resume talks aimed at securing a ceasefire with Russia. U.S. and Ukrainian officials are expected to meet Tuesday in Saudi Arabia, with Zelenskyy expressing hope for a “meaningful meeting.”
Human Impact
Local authorities reported eight people wounded in Kharkiv, including a woman rescued from the rubble. No injuries were reported in the Odesa region, despite damage to critical infrastructure.
The recent escalation has heightened concerns among European Union leaders, prompting discussions on boosting the bloc’s defenses.
