Russia Unleashes Massive Drone and Missile Strike as Peace Talks Continue

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Russia fired 420 drones and 39 missiles at his country overnight Thursday. The attack came as U.S. and Ukrainian representatives prepared for continued peace negotiations in Geneva, now in the war's fifth year.

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Thursday that Russia conducted an overnight assault using 420 drones and 39 missiles against his nation, coinciding with preparations for continued peace discussions between U.S. and Ukrainian representatives in Geneva as the conflict enters its fifth year.

According to Zelenskyy, the overnight strike involved 11 ballistic missiles and focused on vital infrastructure and civilian neighborhoods throughout eight Ukrainian regions. Officials reported that dozens of individuals, including children, sustained injuries, though authorities have not yet released final casualty figures.

On Wednesday evening, Zelenskyy revealed he had conducted a telephone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump, expressing gratitude for his “efforts and engagement” in advancing peace discussions.

The peace negotiations facilitated by the United States between Moscow and Kyiv remain ongoing but have reached an impasse regarding the status of Ukrainian territories that Russia has claimed.

Trump’s representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who had been addressing nuclear discussions with Iran in Geneva before focusing on the European conflict, were scheduled to meet with Rustem Umerov, Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council chief. Both also participated in Trump’s conversation with Zelenskyy.

The United States continues working to maintain progress in its year-long effort to end hostilities and bridge the significant animosity between the opposing nations.

Officials from Ukraine and Europe have claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin is pretending to engage in peace talks, hoping to dodge harsh U.S. actions like additional sanctions while continuing his military campaign.

According to Zelenskyy, Thursday’s discussions between American and Ukrainian representatives would focus on specifics of a potential post-conflict reconstruction plan for Ukraine and preparations for a possible three-way meeting with Moscow representatives, potentially scheduled for next week.

Zelenskyy also mentioned directing Umerov to explore options for a potential prisoner swap.

Vladimir Medinsky, who leads the Russian delegation in previous Ukrainian negotiations, announced Thursday that Russia had returned 1,000 bodies of deceased soldiers to Ukraine while receiving 35 bodies of its own fallen troops. He did not specify the timing of this exchange.

Zelenskyy reported that Russia targeted natural gas facilities in the Poltava region and power substations in the Kyiv and Dnipropetrovsk areas. Emergency response teams were deployed to five additional regions and the capital city.

According to Zelenskyy, Ukrainian air defense systems successfully intercepted the majority of Russian missiles, praising Western allies for providing additional air defense interceptors on schedule. Ukraine depends on international assistance to maintain its defense against Russia’s larger military forces.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called on partner nations to increase military support.

“When the whole world demands Moscow to finally stop this senseless war, Putin bets on more terror, attacks and aggression,” Sybiha said in a post on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.