A warning by Donald Trump to Vladimir Putin to cease “pounding” Ukraine or face consequences seems to have fallen on deaf ears after another night of devastating Russian strikes.
The persistent targeting of Ukrainian towns and cities follows a decision by the US president to cease sharing American intelligence and armaments with Kyiv – a move that is directly hindering the Ukrainian military’s ability to safeguard their skies from the Russian onslaught.
In the deadliest assault overnight, at least 11 people were killed and 30 injured, including five children, in the town of Dobropillia, located about 15 miles from the front line in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.
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The Ukrainian Emergency Service reported that a Russian ballistic missile, rockets, and attack drones hit eight multi-storey buildings, a shopping centre, and dozens of cars.
Firefighters work at the site of the strike. Pic: Reuters/State Emergency Service of Ukraine
“Some buildings were almost entirely burned down,” the Ukrainian Emergency Service reported on their Telegram channel.
Three more civilians were killed, and seven injured in a drone attack in the Kharkiv region in the northeast of the country, according to the Ukrainian Interior Ministry.
Just hours before, the US president posted on social media, threatening financial sanctions on Russia unless a cease fire and final peace agreement are reached.
“Based on Russia’s current aggressive actions, I am seriously considering wide-scale banking sanctions, completely halting trade, and imposing tariffs on Russia until a lasting cease fire and final peace agreement is implemented”, he stated.
“Russia and Ukraine, come to the negotiation table immediately before it’s too late. Thank you!!!”
Kyiv is closely watching whether Moscow will heed the latest threats and alter its strategy.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been in crisis mode ever since Trump’s return to power and recently accused him of trying to undermine Ukraine’s efforts in dealing with Russia’s invasion.
In a significant shift, Washington has stopped sharing intelligence with its Ukrainian allies, making it much harder for Ukraine to get a clear picture of Russian military movements, which in turn limits the effectiveness of Ukraine’s own military operations against Russian positions.
Finding a solution to the conflict remains challenging, with both sides showing no signs of backing down. The crisis continues to put global stability at risk and raises concerns about the possibility of a broader conflict involving world powers.
