Russia launched one of its worst attacks in months on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv overnight as the war between the two countries continues despite U.S. hopes for a peaceful end to the conflict.
Ukrainian officials said Russia launched 70 missiles and 145 drones on Kyiv. Ukraine’s Office of the Prosecutor General said the attacks killed at least eight people and injured more than 70. It also said the attacks damaged residential buildings, metro station windows, restaurants, and cars.
It was the worst attack on Kyiv since July 2024, when Russia attacked multiple locations, including a hospital, killing more than two dozen people. Those attacks came on the eve of a NATO summit in Washington, D.C.
The Thursday barrage of missiles and drones from Russia came days after the end of a temporary “Easter truce” was declared by the country, despite Russian and Ukrainian officials saying the other country broke it.
President Donald Trump denounced the strikes in a Thursday morning post on Truth Social. He called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to “STOP” and said the strikes were “not necessary.”
“I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE!” Trump said.
U.S. officials remain optimistic they can negotiate a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine to end the conflict. However, with little tangible progress toward an agreement to end the war, they are warning that they could ditch the peace process.
Earlier this week, Vice President JD Vance warned that the United States could “walk away” from the process, a similar message to Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s statement.
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On Wednesday, Trump criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for saying recognizing Crimea as part of Russia was off the table in negotiations. Trump said the comments were “very harmful to the Peace Negotiations with Russia.”
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal visited the White House for a meeting shortly after Trump’s post, but the White House declined to comment on the substance of the meeting.