On Sunday, Russian forces launched a series of ballistic missile and drone attacks against Ukraine, resulting in the death of one person and the injury of at least seven others. This recent incident is part of a series of deadly assaults that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky believes demonstrates Russia’s lack of genuine interest in cease-fire negotiations.
Despite ongoing peace talks facilitated by the Trump administration, Russian airstrikes have intensified in recent weeks. During Sunday’s attack, Russian forces targeted Kyiv, causing damage to buildings and fires in several neighborhoods. Other parts of Ukraine also experienced damage and casualties as the nation observed a day of mourning following a deadly strike in Kryvyi Rih on Friday.
In the Friday strike on Kryvyi Rih, a residential area was hit, killing 19 people, including nine children, and injuring 74 others. The attack damaged an apartment complex and left some of the wounded in a playground, as shown in videos released by Ukraine’s emergency services. Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed the missile struck a gathering of Ukrainian and foreign military personnel.
Zelensky expressed disappointment with the United States’ response to the attack, specifically criticizing a social media post by the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, which did not directly condemn Russia. In his nightly address, Zelensky stated that silence would only embolden Moscow to continue the war and disregard diplomacy. He emphasized that the conflict persists and accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of stalling cease-fire negotiations.
Although Ukraine agreed to a 30-day halt in fighting, Russia has not reciprocated. Both sides have accused each other of violating agreements not to strike energy infrastructure and have been negotiating a cease-fire on the Black Sea. Ukrainian officials claim that Russia has adjusted its tactics in the missile and drone war by increasing the number of exploding drones and targeting specific cities.
In March, Ukraine’s Air Force reported 4,133 drones and missiles were launched, an increase from previous months. On Sunday, Russia launched a mix of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones. In Kyiv, the assault began with exploding drones, followed by missiles that triggered air-raid alarms throughout the night and early morning.
A Kyiv resident, Valentyn Maidaniuk, witnessed the attack and was unable to sleep due to the explosions and buzzing drones. Contributions from journalists, including Maria Varenikova, have helped document these events in Ukraine.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/06/world/europe/ukraine-kyiv-attack-russia.html
