Russia Strikes Ukraine With 700 Drones and Missiles Amid US Ceasefire Proposal

Russia launched a massive assault on Ukraine, deploying over 700 drones and missiles in a barrage that targeted multiple regions, including the capital Kyiv and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's hometown of Kryvyi Rih. The attacks, described by Ukrainian officials as a deliberate attempt to overload air defenses, resulted in multiple casualties and significant damage to civilian infrastructure. In Kryvyi Rih alone, a missile strike hit a hotel, killing at least four people and injuring 31 others, many seriously, according to regional governor Serhiy Lysak. Zelenskyy highlighted that a group of volunteers from Ukraine, the US, and Britain had checked into the hotel just before the strike but survived by sheltering in time.

The assault unfolded amid fragile diplomatic efforts to end the nearly four-year war. Ukrainian and US officials confirmed that Ukraine has accepted a US ceasefire proposal, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating in Saudi Arabia that the plan would be delivered directly to Russia. President Trump noted that Ukraine had committed to a full ceasefire, expressing hope that Russia would follow suit, though he remarked that Russia had been "easier to deal with" so far. These developments followed trilateral talks involving the US, Ukraine, and Russia in Abu Dhabi, which Zelenskyy described as "constructive," with agreements to report back to leaders and potentially convene military representatives as early as next week.

Despite the progress, Russian forces showed no immediate signs of de-escalation. Zelenskyy reported over 150 assault actions, more than 100 shelling incidents, and nearly 10,000 kamikaze drone strikes in recent days along key frontlines, accusing Moscow of violating any notion of silence. A separate daytime attack involved over 200 drones across Ukraine, as the Kremlin claimed trilateral work toward peace continued. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov withheld detailed comment on the US proposal pending more information, while President Vladimir Putin reiterated that the war is "almost over," citing the ongoing negotiations.

The strikes have drawn sharp criticism from Kyiv, with Zelenskyy accusing Putin of dodging a leaders-level meeting and targeting civilian sites, including an American-owned plant in Mukachevo, to intimidate and prolong the conflict. He stressed the need for reliable security guarantees in any peace deal and confirmed preparations for a major prisoner exchange mediated by the US. These events underscore the tension between diplomatic momentum and battlefield intensity, affecting millions of Ukrainians through disrupted daily life, infrastructure losses, and heightened fears of escalation.

As talks advance, the international community watches closely for Russia's response to the ceasefire plan. US officials described the Abu Dhabi discussions as "productive," signaling potential next steps that could include direct leader engagements. However, continued assaults highlight the challenges in translating negotiations into a lasting halt to hostilities, with Ukraine vowing a "mirror-like" response while restraining long-range strikes. The coming days may determine whether momentum builds toward peace or if attacks persist, prolonging the war's toll.