Russia executed a significant strike across Ukraine, employing drones and ballistic missiles just a day after the United States halted its intelligence-sharing with Kyiv, which had previously provided advance warnings of attacks. The assault coincided with a Ukrainian delegation’s preparation to meet with U.S. counterparts in Saudi Arabia to discuss a possible cessation of the conflict.
The Kremlin’s objective was to dismantle Ukraine’s energy and gas infrastructure, as stated by Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Attacks targeted facilities in various regions, including Odesa and Poltava, with nearly seventy cruise and ballistic missiles and almost two hundred attack drones being used.
In a statement on social media, Ukraine’s president affirmed that the attacks were directed at infrastructure critical to civilian life and that repair and restoration efforts were underway. He noted that several individuals were injured when a missile struck a private building in Kharkiv.
Zelenskyy is set to travel to Saudi Arabia on Monday to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Following this meeting, his team will continue working with American partners in Saudi Arabia. The president underscored Ukraine’s keen interest in peace, reiterating his commitment to achieving a swift and reliable peace.
The meeting occurs amidst heightened pressure from the Trump administration on Ukraine and amid reports of U.S. efforts to replace Zelenskyy. Trump commented that Ukraine desires to negotiate because it has no alternative, mirroring his belief that Russia is also compelled to negotiate for reasons he claims to uniquely understand.
In response to the escalating tensions, Zelenskyy introduced a tentative ceasefire plan, proposing restrictions on the use of missiles, long-range drones, and aerial bombs, alongside a suspension of military operations in the Black Sea.
Prominent attacks have continued despite talks between U.S. and Russian negotiators in Saudi Arabia, with Russia intensifying its aerial warfare, although its ground advancement has stalled, with Ukraine’s armed forces conducting local counter-offensives.
The strikes caused injuries and damage to buildings in several regions, including Kharkiv and Poltava. Despite the cutoff of U.S. weapons, Ukraine retains some capability to intercept enemy missiles. Zelenskyy highlighted the successful interception of Russian cruise missiles by French-supplied Mirage 2000 aircraft in coordination with F-16 fighter jets.
In reaction to EU plans for increased military capability and positioning Russia as an adversary, the Kremlin warned it may retort, following EU leaders’ agreement on a substantial increase in defense spending. The Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, stated that this militarization process and the EU’s adversarial stance against Russia are under close scrutiny.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/07/russia-launches-huge-strikes-across-ukraine-as-us-halts-intelligence-sharing
