Following a successful phone call between the U.S. peace delegation and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday, Russia launched another aerial attack on Ukraine, Ukrainian officials say.
Zelensky confirmed the Russian attack on X on Sunday, saying it was the latest series of strikes in a week that saw over 1,600 attack drones hit the nation. Zelensky’s confirmation came less than 24 hours after he said he was “grateful for a very focused, constructive discussion” with U.S. special envoy for peace Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump‘s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
“There was another attack today as well – more than 240 drones and 5 ballistic missiles – causing damage in seven regions. Tragically, people were killed in Slovyansk and in the Chernihiv region. My condolences to the families and loved ones,” Zelensky said.
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Sunday’s attack also rocked the Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk, city officials say. Kremenchuk Mayor Vitalii Maletskyi said the city was hit by a “massive” attack aimed at its infrastructure and that officials were working to restore power, water, and heat to the city.
Zelensky also noted that everyday infrastructure is typically the target of these attacks. Overnight from Friday into Saturday, Russia launched a drone attack on Ukraine that temporarily cut off power to a nuclear power plant.
“This week alone, Russia launched over 1,600 attack drones, around 1,200 guided aerial bombs, and nearly 70 missiles of various types against Ukraine. The primary targets of these strikes are infrastructure that keeps everyday life going,” Zelensky said.
Witkoff and Kushner met with Ukrainian Secretary of National Security Rustem Umerov and Chief of General Staff Andriy Hnatov this week for peace talks in Miami. The two delegations put out a joint statement through the State Department on Friday.
“The participants discussed the results of recent meeting of the American side with the Russians and steps that could lead to ending this war. The American and Ukrainians also agreed on the framework of security arrangements and discussed necessary deterrence capabilities to sustain a lasting peace,” they said in the joint statement.
The U.S. and Ukrainian delegations also agreed that Russian de-escalation is necessary to work toward peace.
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“Both parties agreed that real progress toward any agreement depends on Russia’s readiness to show serious commitment to long-term peace, including steps toward de-escalation and cessation of killings,” they said in the joint statement.
Witkoff and Kushner met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday in a nearly five-hour meeting.
