At least 14 people were killed and 37 others wounded, including five children, following a wave of Russian missile and drone strikes on the eastern Ukrainian city of Dobropillia. The attack, which targeted residential buildings and infrastructure, underscores the continuing escalation of hostilities as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prepares for a new round of talks with US officials.
The Ukrainian Interior Ministry confirmed that Russian forces launched ballistic missiles, multiple rockets, and drones at Dobropillia, causing extensive damage to multi-story buildings and vehicles. The assault is part of a broader Russian offensive that has battered Ukraine’s critical infrastructure in recent days.
US Response: Trump Threatens Sanctions on Russia
Following the latest Russian bombardment, US President Donald Trump issued a strong warning, threatening to impose large-scale banking sanctions and tariffs on Russia.
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“Based on the fact that Russia is absolutely ‘pounding’ Ukraine on the battlefield right now, I am strongly considering large-scale Banking Sanctions, Sanctions, and Tariffs on Russia until a Cease Fire and FINAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ON PEACE IS REACHED,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Despite this stern warning, Trump later expressed a more conciliatory tone toward Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating, “I believe him,” when asked about Putin’s assurances. He also indicated frustration with Ukraine, suggesting that Kyiv is at a disadvantage in negotiations. “I’m finding it more difficult frankly to deal with Ukraine, and they don’t have the cards,” Trump said, hinting that a resolution may be easier to achieve with Russia.
Escalating Attacks on Ukraine’s Infrastructure
As diplomatic tensions heighten, Russia continues its relentless assault on Ukraine’s energy and industrial infrastructure. Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko reported that Russian forces launched a “massive missile and drone shelling” campaign on energy facilities across the country.
“Russia is trying to hurt ordinary Ukrainians by shelling energy and gas production facilities, without abandoning its goal of leaving us without power and heating,” Galushchenko stated.
According to Ukraine’s Air Force, Russia fired at least 58 missiles and nearly 200 drones, hitting targets from Kharkiv in the east to Ternopil in the west. Ukrainian defense systems, including recently delivered French Mirage fighter jets, intercepted 34 missiles and over 100 drones.
In Kharkiv, a missile strike on a civilian infrastructure site injured four people, including a woman rescued from the rubble. Additional strikes targeted a private business, igniting fires that required emergency responses. Elsewhere, a Russian missile attack damaged a “critical industrial facility” in Ternopil, though no casualties were reported.
Ukraine’s Counterattack: Drone Strike Hits Russian Oil Refinery
As Russian missiles rained down on Ukraine, Kyiv launched its own strike, targeting a major oil refinery in Russia’s northwestern Leningrad region. According to local governor Alexander Drozdenko, Ukrainian drones damaged a fuel tank at the Kirishi oil refinery—one of Russia’s largest facilities.
“Air defenses shot down one drone on approach, the other was destroyed over the territory of the enterprise,” Drozdenko confirmed. The refinery, which plays a vital role in Russia’s energy production, is now assessing the extent of the damage.
Zelenskyy Heads to Middle East for Key Talks
As Ukraine reels from continued attacks, President Zelenskyy is set to visit Saudi Arabia for discussions with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The meeting precedes a critical round of talks with US officials, scheduled to take place in the Middle Eastern kingdom.
Zelenskyy has intensified calls for a mutual halt to aerial and naval strikes on critical infrastructure, pushing for an initial step toward de-escalation. “The first steps to establishing real peace should be stopping both Russian and Ukrainian aerial and naval attacks,” he emphasized.
This proposal comes amid growing international pressure for a diplomatic solution, with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan lending his support to Ukraine’s ceasefire call. However, the Kremlin has dismissed the idea of a temporary ceasefire, indicating that Moscow intends to continue military operations.
Europe Strengthens Defense Amid US Uncertainty
As Trump signals a potential shift in US involvement in the war, European Union leaders have agreed to ramp up their collective defense strategy. At a crisis summit in Brussels, the EU announced a sweeping plan to “re-arm Europe” and fortify its security posture against the perceived threat from Russia.
“We are moving decisively towards a strong and more sovereign Europe of defense,” said Antonio Costa, head of the Council of the EU’s 27 member states. The plan includes mobilizing approximately €800 billion ($1.36 trillion) in defense spending and providing €150 billion in EU-backed loans to strengthen military capabilities.
The initiative comes as NATO allies grow increasingly uneasy about the United States’ future commitment to European security. Trump has once again criticized NATO members for not contributing enough to the alliance, stating, “If NATO members don’t pay more, I’m not going to defend them.” His remarks have fueled concerns that Europe may need to prepare for a future in which US military support is no longer guaranteed.
Conclusion: A War at a Crossroads
With heavy Russian attacks, shifting US foreign policy, and a rearming Europe, the Russia-Ukraine war appears to be reaching a critical juncture. While diplomatic efforts continue, the battlefield realities suggest that a resolution remains distant.
As Ukraine fights to protect its people and infrastructure, the international community watches closely to see whether sanctions, negotiations, or military force will ultimately shape the war’s next chapter.
