Ukraine and Russia: The Night of Drones and Missiles

A tense night unfolded between Ukraine and Russia, marked by a flurry of aerial attacks. This occurred just hours after a significant phone conversation between President Vladimir Putin and then US President Donald Trump. The call had sparked hopes for a temporary halt in hostilities, but the reality on the ground told a different story. The Kremlin had agreed to a pause in attacks on energy infrastructure, but this was far from a comprehensive ceasefire. The US had pushed for a 30-day truce, but Putin did not commit to this broader agreement. Instead, a narrower pause was announced, followed by talks on a more extensive ceasefire. Ukrainian President Zelensky expressed support for the pause but demanded more details about the proposal. The night was filled with chaos. Russia launched a barrage of 145 drones, 2 ballistic missiles, and 4 anti-aircraft missiles targeting several Ukrainian regions. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that 72 drones were shot down, but the damage was already done. Civilian infrastructure, including a hospital and a railway power system, was hit. Trains continued to run, but the power outages caused significant disruptions. The attacks resulted in one death and 14 injuries. Zelensky criticized Putin's actions, stating that the overnight strikes contradicted Putin's claims of halting attacks on energy targets. He highlighted the strikes on transportation, hospitals, and urban infrastructure, painting a grim picture of the night's events. Meanwhile, Russia claimed it had shot down 57 Ukrainian drones, with many intercepted over the Kursk border region. In southern Russia, a Ukrainian drone caused a fire at an oil depot, requiring over 200 personnel to extinguish the blaze. The night's events underscored the ongoing tensions and the complex dynamics at play. A prisoner swap was also in the works, with 175 people expected to be exchanged on both sides. Additionally, 23 seriously wounded Ukrainian soldiers were to be transferred. Zelensky acknowledged the exchange as beneficial for Ukraine, despite it being pre-arranged. The night's events highlighted the ongoing tensions and the complex dynamics at play, leaving many questions unanswered.