In the early hours of Thursday morning, Kyiv awoke not to birdsong, but to the ominous hum of drones and the thunderous blast of missile strikes. The city was under attack again — this time, a coordinated Russian missile and drone assault that left at least two people dead and over 50 injured.
Residents scrambled for safety, taking shelter in underground bunkers and metro stations. The capital’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, confirmed the grim toll: 54 people wounded, including six children. While many received on-site treatment, 38 were rushed to hospitals.
This wasn’t an isolated assault. In eastern Ukraine, Kharkiv was pounded by at least seven missiles, according to the city’s mayor, Igor Terekhov. As explosions echoed through the streets, Terekhov issued a stark warning: a “massive drone attack” was still underway.
Only hours before the missiles fell, U.S. President Donald Trump stirred international headlines with controversial remarks that many in Ukraine found deeply unsettling.
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Speaking to reporters, Trump claimed that a peace deal between Washington and Moscow was “very close.” However, he accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of being the stumbling block.
“I thought it might be easier to deal with Zelensky,” Trump said. “So far it’s been harder.” He went on to criticize Zelensky for rejecting a U.S.-backed peace proposal that would have allowed Russia to retain control of the territories it currently occupies — including Crimea.
Trump’s statements came shortly after Vice President JD Vance outlined a vision of peace negotiations that included formal recognition of Russia’s annexation of Crimea — a proposal flatly rejected by Kyiv.
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Ukraine’s constitution prohibits surrendering territory, and Zelensky’s administration remains firm in its stance: peace cannot come at the price of sovereignty.
Responding to Trump’s remarks, Zelensky pointed out a 2018 declaration by then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, which reiterated the U.S. rejection of Russia’s annexation of Crimea. In stark contrast to today’s rhetoric, that declaration asserted Washington’s long-standing support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, posted a message during the ongoing strikes: “Russia is attacking Kyiv, Kharkiv, and other cities with missiles and drones right now… Putin shows only a desire to kill. The fire must stop. The attacks on civilians must stop.”
The latest bombardment and the political firestorm surrounding Crimea come as a painful reminder: while leaders debate behind closed doors and on social media platforms, civilians in Ukraine continue to live — and too often die — under the shadow of war.
As air raid sirens faded into the background and emergency crews rushed to clear debris and rescue survivors, one thing became clear: this war is far from over. And for many Ukrainians, peace still feels heartbreakingly out of reach.
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