Overnight, Russia launched more than 500 drones and around two dozen missiles targeting Ukraine, officials reported Wednesday. Amidst this, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders continued efforts to boost Ukraine’s defenses and revive momentum in stalled U.S.-led peace initiatives.
Zelenskyy said Russian attacks mainly focused on civilian infrastructure, especially energy facilities, as Ukraine braces for another winter three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion. The strikes concentrated on western and central regions of Ukraine and caused injuries to at least five people, according to the Ukrainian air force.
Despite ongoing Russian air attacks on civilian zones and harsh ground offensives along the roughly 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, the fighting has not diminished in recent months, despite attempts by former U.S. President Donald Trump to halt the conflict.
Although Zelenskyy has shown openness to Trump’s ceasefire proposals and direct peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin has expressed reservations.
In the context of recent diplomatic developments, Putin held meetings in China with Chinese President Xi Jinping, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. These nations, according to Washington, support Russia’s military campaign, with North Korea reportedly sending troops and ammunition, while China and India continue purchasing Russian oil, indirectly aiding Russia’s war economy.
Zelenskyy described the recent attacks as a show of impunity by Putin. Writing on Telegram, he called for stronger sanctions, especially targeting Russia’s war economy, urging increased pressure to halt Russia’s aggression.
In his daily address on Tuesday evening, Zelenskyy noted a rise in Russian drone assaults, including attacks during daylight, and signaled a buildup of Russian forces in certain front-line sectors.
Zelenskyy arrived in Denmark on Tuesday for discussions with Northern European and Baltic nations regarding new military support and diplomatic backing for Ukraine.
Simultaneously, British Defense Secretary John Healey traveled to Kyiv to discuss ways to strengthen Ukraine’s military capabilities.
Later on Wednesday, Zelenskyy was scheduled to meet French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, ahead of a European summit the following day to evaluate possible postwar security assurances in coordination with the United States.