At least nine people have been killed and 63 injured following a wave of Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine overnight, Ukrainian officials confirmed Thursday.
The strikes, which targeted multiple regions, are among the deadliest in recent weeks and have escalated tensions as diplomatic efforts remain stalled.
The violence came just hours after US President Donald Trump sharply criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s stance on peace negotiations, accusing him of jeopardising progress toward a potential ceasefire by refusing to concede Crimea to Russia.
“Zelensky can have peace, or he can fight for another three years before losing the whole country,” Trump said in remarks from the Oval Office on Wednesday evening. “The statement made by Zelensky today will do nothing but prolong the ‘killing field.’”
The US president was referring to Zelensky’s declaration that Ukraine would never recognise Russia’s occupation of Crimea, which Moscow annexed in 2014. Trump called the position “very harmful to peace negotiations” and suggested Kyiv should have fought for Crimea “eleven years ago” if it truly wanted to keep it.
Trump, who has long advocated a deal to end the war, also claimed the US was “very close to a deal,” but blamed Zelensky for delays. “The man with ‘no cards to play’ should now, finally, GET IT DONE,” he said.
When pressed by reporters on whether the US might recognise Russian sovereignty over Crimea, Trump said his main goal was to end the conflict and save lives. “I have nothing to do with Russia, but have much to do with wanting to save, on average, five thousand Russian and Ukrainian soldiers a week,” he said.
US Vice President JD Vance also weighed in earlier, outlining Washington’s vision for a peace agreement. Speaking at a policy forum, Vance said the US backed a proposal to “freeze the territorial lines close to where they are today,” implying that both Russia and Ukraine would need to relinquish some of their currently held territories.
Zelensky’s government has not responded directly to Trump’s comments but has repeatedly stated that any deal that legitimises Russia’s territorial gains would be unconstitutional and unacceptable to the Ukrainian people.
Meanwhile, emergency crews in Ukraine are continuing search and rescue operations across affected areas. Authorities have urged civilians to remain in shelters as the risk of further strikes remains high.
Chioma Kalu
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