Russia launched a new wave of drone attacks across Ukraine overnight as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prepared to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida, Ukrainian officials said Sunday.
Dozens of Drones Fired Overnight
Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 48 drones from Saturday night into Sunday morning. Air defenses shot down or electronically suppressed 30 of them, while 18 struck targets across nine locations. The attacks were part of an intense escalation in recent days, with Ukrainian data showing more than 1,800 drones and missiles fired by Russia over the past week.
Diplomacy Continues as Attacks Escalate
The latest strikes came as Zelenskyy arrived in North America for a series of diplomatic meetings focused on ending Russia’s full-scale invasion, which began in February 2022. Zelenskyy met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Halifax on Saturday and is scheduled to meet Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Sunday.
In a post on X, Zelenskyy said Russia launched more than 2,100 attack drones, hundreds of guided bombs and dozens of missiles against Ukraine this week alone, calling the period one of the most critical diplomatic moments of the year.
Ukraine Seeks Security Guarantees
Zelenskyy has stressed that any path toward peace depends on strong, legally binding security guarantees from the United States and Europe. He said Ukraine has already made significant compromises, but warned that a ceasefire without protections would leave the country vulnerable to renewed aggression.
“If Europe and America are united with us, we will stop Putin,” Zelenskyy said, adding that divided support would prolong the war.
Putin Signals Pressure, Not Concessions
Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed Western nations are offering Ukraine favorable terms related to security and reconstruction, but suggested Kyiv is unwilling to settle. He warned that Russia would continue military operations if Ukraine’s leadership does not agree to a peace deal.
Zelenskyy has dismissed those claims, describing Russia’s latest missile and drone attacks as Moscow’s true response to peace efforts.
Fighting Continues on Both Sides
Ukraine also continued its long-range strikes against Russian territory overnight. Russia’s Defense Ministry said it shot down at least 25 Ukrainian drones, prompting temporary flight restrictions at several regional airports.
As diplomatic talks intensify, both sides remain locked in escalating military action, underscoring the fragile prospects for a near-term breakthrough.
For more on this story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.