In the midst of ongoing high-level discussions in Florida between Ukrainian and U.S. officials, Russia unleashed a significant offensive on Ukraine overnight. The assault involved a barrage of 653 drones and 51 missiles, resulting in injuries to eight individuals, according to Ukrainian authorities.
In response to this aggressive move, French President Emmanuel Macron voiced his condemnation of the attacks. He took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to emphasize the need for continued pressure on Moscow, urging actions that might steer Russia towards peace.
Macron also revealed plans for a crucial meeting in London this coming Monday, where he intends to gather with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, along with leaders from the United Kingdom and Germany. This gathering underscores the international effort to address the escalating tensions in the region.
The Ukrainian defense efforts were highlighted with the inspection of the nation’s Flamingo missiles, as captured in a photograph by AP’s Efrem Lukatsky. This imagery serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict and the measures being taken to counteract the aggression.
Amid these developments, President Zelenskyy reported a productive phone call on Saturday with American officials involved in the dialogue with Ukraine’s delegation in Miami. This conversation is part of the broader strategy to strengthen ties and support in the face of Russian hostilities.
Zelenskyy said on Saturday that he had a “substantive phone call” with American officials involved in the talks with the Ukrainian delegation in Miami.
U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff on Friday shared a readout of the talks, which also included President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
The readout called the talks “constructive discussions on advancing a credible pathway toward a durable and just peace in Ukraine.”
“American and Ukrainian parties underscored that an end to the war and credible steps toward ceasefire and de-escalation are necessary to prevent renewed aggression and to enable Ukraine’s comprehensive redevelopment plan, designed to make the nation stronger and more prosperous than before the war.”
People gather in Kyiv on Saturday during a blackout caused by Russia’s ongoing strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. (Maxym Marusenko/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Following Russia’s Friday night barrage, Ukraine’s air force said 29 locations were hit, and the military was able to shoot down 585 drones and 30 missiles.
Three of the eight wounded were hurt in the Kyiv region, local officials reported.
The “massive’ attack also targeted power stations in the country and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant temporarily lost power overnight, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant seen in 2022. (Carl Court/Getty Images)
Zaporizhzhia is under Russian control and not in use, but it needs power to cool its shutdown reactors to prevent a catastrophic incident.
Zelenskyy said that a drone strike had also “burned down” the train station in the city of Fastiv, near Kyiv.
In retaliatory strikes, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces later said Ukrainian forces said its military hit Russia’s Ryazan Oil Refinery.
