Russia launched another major drone and missile strike on Kyiv overnight, Ukrainian officials confirmed Thursday morning, as President Trump ramps up criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin over the continued onslaught.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a post on social platform X that Russia’s latest attack, using 18 missiles and nearly 400 aerial drone strikes, stretched for more than 10 hours. Two people were killed, and more than a dozen were injured, the Ukrainian leader added.
“This is a clear escalation of terror by Russia — hundreds of ‘shaheds’ every night, constant strikes, and massive attacks on Ukrainian cities,” he wrote. “Such Russian attacks must be met with a tough response. And that is exactly what we will deliver.”
Zelensky said he planned to speak with allies on Thursday about additional funding for interceptor drones and air defense systems for his country. He also called for additional sanctions on Moscow.
“Sanctions must be imposed faster, and pressure on Russia must be strong enough that they truly feel the consequences of their terror,” he wrote. “There’s a need for quicker action from our partners in investing in weapons production and advancing technology.”
Russia’s latest attack follows a similar onslaught on Kyiv a day earlier.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said earlier this week that he’s pushing for a vote on a new Russia sanctions package that would levy massive tariffs on Russia and any country that buys its gas, uranium and oil. The proposal has more than 80 Senate co-sponsors.
The president, following a call with Putin, said he was “disappointed” with the discussion and blasted the Russian leader on Tuesday for what he suggested are disingenuous efforts to end the conflict with Ukraine. Trump campaigned on brokering a peace deal between the warring rivals last year.
“We get a lot of bulls— thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth,” he said during a Cabinet meeting. “He’s very nice to us all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless.”
The Pentagon had paused some weapons transfers to Ukraine last week to review U.S. weapons stockpiles, but the block is expected to be lifted at Trump’s direction.
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