KYIV, Ukraine: Russia launched one of its most extensive air assaults in months early Wednesday, striking cities across Ukraine and causing widespread power outages, fires, and civilian casualties.
Ukrainian officials said at least six people were killed — including a six-month-old baby — and 25 others were wounded as waves of drones and missiles targeted residential areas and energy infrastructure.
According to CNN, the overnight bombardment came just as both Moscow and Washington confirmed that a proposed summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump will not take place, ending weeks of speculation about a possible meeting in Budapest.
Ukraine reels under a new wave of attacks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the strikes targeted “energy infrastructure, as well as ordinary cities,” killing six and injuring 17 across the country.
“Another night proving that Russia does not feel enough pressure for dragging out the war,” Zelensky said on X.
Ukraine’s state-owned energy operator Ukrenergo said emergency power cuts were introduced across most regions, while private energy company DTEK reported “significant” damage at a facility in the Odesa region.
In Kyiv, debris from a drone attack struck a 16-story building in the Dniprovskiy district, killing two and forcing rescuers to evacuate residents trapped by fire. Another strike in Brovary, east of the capital, killed a woman, a 12-year-old girl, and a six-month-old baby, officials said.
“As of 12:40 p.m. local time, a total of 25 people had been injured in Kyiv city alone,” said Tymur Tkachenko, head of the city’s military administration. “More than 10 have been hospitalized, including four children.”
Diplomatic uncertainty overshadows war
CNN reported there were “no plans” for a Putin-Trump summit in the immediate future.” Trump confirmed he didn’t want the meeting to be “a waste of time,” despite earlier suggesting it could happen “within two weeks or so” in Budapest.
“Preparations for the summit are ongoing. They could take various forms,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told state media before U.S. officials clarified that no meeting was currently on the agenda.
Zelensky, visiting Norway and Sweden to discuss defense cooperation, said a Russian drone had struck a kindergarten in Kharkiv “after a night of massive attacks.” He added, “All children have been evacuated and are in shelters. According to preliminary information, many are experiencing acute stress reactions.”
In his daily address, Zelensky called Trump’s proposal for Ukraine and Russia to halt at the current frontlines “a good compromise,” but said he doubted Putin would agree.
Katarina Maternovak, the European Union’s ambassador to Ukraine, described the events as “a night of horror,” while Ukrainian officials urged the EU and the U.S. to tighten pressure on Moscow following the latest wave of strikes.
