Russia has launched its largest drone attack on Ukraine since the start of the war, destroying homes and killing at least one woman. The attack came a day before US President Donald Trump is due to discuss a proposed ceasefire with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, Russia intended to use drones as an attempt to intimidate Western countries, while Moscow denies any involvement in such plans. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Rome on Sunday, reaffirming Ukraine’s readiness for real diplomacy and the importance of a full and unconditional ceasefire.
Friday’s peace talks failed to broker a temporary ceasefire as Moscow presented conditions that were deemed “non-starters” by Ukrainian officials. The leaders of Britain, France, Germany, and Poland planned to speak with Trump before the US-Russia presidential call on Monday.
The largest drone attack on Ukraine saw 273 drones launched at Ukrainian cities, more than the previous record set in February. Three people were injured, including a four-year-old child, while one woman was killed. The attack came as Trump has shifted US rhetoric from supporting Ukraine to accepting some of Moscow’s narrative about the war.
Ukrainian officials argue that Moscow is holding up a truce, and Zelenskiy has said he would accept Trump’s proposal for an immediate ceasefire of at least 30 days with no conditions. However, Moscow says it would consider a ceasefire only if certain conditions are met, including a halt in arms supplies to Kyiv.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/one-killed-kyiv-region-russia-steps-up-attacks-after-peace-talks-ukraine-says-2025-05-18