Following a call between Putin and Trump, Russia and Ukraine have launched retaliatory air strikes. Ukraine’s President Zelensky accused Russia of targeting civilian infrastructure, while Russia confirmed successful interceptions of Ukrainian drones. Putin’s refusal to agree to a full ceasefire complicates efforts for peace amid continuous military actions from both sides.
In the aftermath of a call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, both Russia and Ukraine have initiated air attacks impacting each other’s infrastructure. Despite Putin claiming Russia would halt targeting Ukrainian energy sites, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported strikes on hospitals and power supplies, suggesting the ceasefire proposed during the call has been effectively rejected.
Following the call, Zelensky highlighted that Russia targeted civilian infrastructure, specifically mentioning a hospital in Sumy, as well as launching more than 40 drone attacks on Ukraine. He asserted, “It is these types of night-time attacks by Russia that destroy our energy sector, our infrastructure, and the normal life of Ukrainians.”
Meanwhile, reports emerged from the southern Russian region of Krasnodar, stating a Ukrainian drone attack resulted in a small fire at an oil depot. The Russian defense ministry reported intercepting and destroying 57 Ukrainian drones overnight, with 35 intercepted over the Kursk border region. In the Belgorod region, the local governor mentioned a challenging situation, pointing out a thwarted attempted ground assault by Ukrainian forces.
While Russia agreed to cease attacks focused on energy infrastructure, Putin declined to commit to a more comprehensive ceasefire. Negotiations regarding Ukraine will persist on Sunday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where the US envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will continue discussions with various stakeholders. Notably, last September, Zelensky indicated that approximately 80% of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure had been obliterated by Russian strikes, while Ukraine has retaliated with drone and missile attacks deep into Russian territory.
In conclusion, the situation following the Trump-Putin call remains tense and complex. Both nations have escalated their military actions against each other, indicating that a comprehensive ceasefire is improbable under the current circumstances. Zelensky’s emphatic remarks reflect Ukraine’s ongoing struggle against Russian aggression, despite international diplomatic efforts to address the conflict.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
