Russia Conducts Extensive Aerial Attacks on Ukraine Amid Diplomatic Discussions
Russia executed a substantial drone and missile attack across Ukraine overnight into Saturday. This occurred as U.S. and Ukrainian officials prepared for a third day of diplomatic discussions aimed at resolving the conflict, which is nearing its fourth year.
Details of Ukrainian Air Defense Response and Impact
Ukraine's air force reported on Saturday morning that Russia utilized 653 drones and 51 missiles in the widespread attack. Air raid alerts were activated nationwide during the assault, which coincided with Ukraine's Armed Forces Day.
Ukrainian forces stated they intercepted 585 drones and 30 missiles. The air force indicated that 29 locations sustained strikes.
Ihor Klymenko, Ukraine's Minister of Internal Affairs, reported that at least eight individuals were wounded in these attacks. Among the wounded, a minimum of three were in the Kyiv region, according to local officials. Drones were observed in regions as far west as Lviv.
Impact on Infrastructure
Ukrenergo, Ukraine's national energy operator, announced via Telegram that Russia conducted a "massive missile-drone attack" targeting power stations and other energy infrastructure across several Ukrainian regions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that energy facilities were the primary targets. He also noted that a drone strike resulted in the "burning down" of the train station in Fastiv, Kyiv region.
Russian Counter-claims and Attributed Motives
Russia's Ministry of Defense reported that its air defenses shot down 116 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory overnight into Saturday.
The Russian Telegram news channel Astra claimed Ukraine struck the Ryazan Oil Refinery, sharing footage purportedly showing a fire and smoke. The Associated Press has not independently verified this video.
Ukraine has not issued an immediate comment regarding the alleged attack. Pavel Malkov, Governor of the Ryazan region, stated that a residential building was damaged by a drone attack and that drone debris landed on the grounds of an "industrial facility," without specifically mentioning the refinery.
Kyiv's long-range drone strikes on Russian refineries over several months are described by Ukrainian officials as attempts to reduce Moscow's oil export revenue, which is used to finance military operations. Concurrently, Kyiv and its Western allies assert that Russia's objective is to incapacitate the Ukrainian power grid and deprive civilians of heat, light, and running water for a fourth consecutive winter, a tactic Ukrainian officials term "weaponizing" the cold.
Diplomatic Efforts
The recent attacks took place as advisers to U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian officials were scheduled to meet for a third day of talks on Saturday. Progress had reportedly been made on a security framework for a postwar Ukraine.
Following Friday's discussions, a joint statement from U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Ukrainian negotiators Rustem Umerov and Andriy Hnatov indicated that "real progress toward any agreement" would ultimately depend on "Russia's readiness to show serious commitment to long-term peace."
These statements followed a second day of meetings in Florida, with few specific details provided regarding the progress, as former President Trump advocates for a U.S.-mediated resolution to the conflict.