Escalation of Conflict: Drone Attacks and Air Strikes Disrupt Travel and Life
Ukrainian drone attacks have led to significant disruptions in Russia, particularly at major airports in Moscow. The sustained assault forced the temporary closure of key aviation hubs, resulting in the cancellation of over 140 flights. According to officials, more than 230 Ukrainian drones were shot down since Saturday morning, with 27 of them intercepted near the capital. The Russian aviation watchdog reported that four major airports serving the capital experienced operational disruptions, and over 130 flights were rerouted. All affected airports have since resumed normal operations.
In addition to the disruption in air travel, Russian air strikes on Ukraine overnight resulted in at least three deaths, according to regional officials. The Kaluga region, located southwest of Moscow, was also impacted as the Russian defense ministry reported the interception of 45 drones since Saturday morning, leading to the temporary closure of Kaluga International Airport.
Drones were also shot down in regions near the Ukrainian border, including Rostov and Bryansk, as well as over the Black Sea. No fatalities were reported in these areas. This is not the first time that Ukrainian drone attacks have caused travel disruptions in Russia. In May, over 60,000 passengers were stranded at airports across the country after Kyiv launched more than 500 drones in a single day.
Continued Fighting and Casualties
Regional officials in Ukraine reported two deaths following Russian air strikes in different parts of Donetsk. Additionally, a 78-year-old woman died when residential buildings caught fire in Sumy. Ukraine’s air force claimed to have shot down 18 out of 57 Russian drones overnight into Sunday, while seven others were lost due to radar jamming.
The attacks targeted several front-line areas, including Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia. These strikes highlight the ongoing intensity of the conflict, which has been raging for nearly three-and-a-half years since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Calls for Peace and Diplomatic Efforts
Amid the continued violence, the Kremlin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to move toward a peace settlement with Ukraine but emphasized that achieving Moscow's goals remains the top priority. "President Putin has repeatedly spoken of his desire to bring the Ukrainian settlement to a peaceful conclusion as soon as possible. This is a long process, it requires effort, and it is not easy," he said during a televised interview.
On Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed a new round of talks with Moscow, aiming to restart negotiations that had stalled last month. Previous attempts by both sides to negotiate an end to the fighting have failed to achieve a ceasefire, though they have led to prisoner swaps. Zelensky reiterated his willingness to meet Putin face-to-face, stating, "A meeting at the leadership level is needed to truly ensure peace."
US Support and Trump's Role
Ukraine received a boost this week when U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States would send "top-of-the-line weapons" to Ukraine through NATO countries. Trump also threatened Russia with severe tariffs if a deal to end the war is not reached within 50 days. He later expressed disappointment with Putin but stated that he was "not done."
In response to Trump's remarks, Peskov said, "Everyone has grown accustomed to his [Trump's] rather harsh and straightforward rhetoric. At the same time, he reaffirms his intention to continue doing everything possible to facilitate a peaceful settlement."
Ongoing Violence and Civilian Impact
The latest wave of Russian attacks has once again left buildings burning and civilians injured. Another attack on a Ukrainian shopping center resulted in two deaths and many injuries. These incidents underscore the devastating impact of the war on both military and civilian populations, as the conflict continues to unfold with no clear end in sight.
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