KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — In a recent nighttime assault, Russia targeted eight regions in Ukraine, as reported by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday. Local officials indicated that the strikes injured over two dozen civilians, including three children.
Zelenskyy stated that Russian forces launched 524 attack drones and 22 ballistic and cruise missiles, with the city of Dnipro and its surrounding central area suffering the most damage during the attack.
This strike continues a recent trend of extensive long-range attacks that have escalated since the ceasefire from May 9-11, which U.S. President Donald Trump urged Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin to uphold, but it yielded little effect. Efforts for a peace agreement remain elusive despite U.S. diplomatic interventions regarding Russia’s invasion.
Last week, Russia intensified its attacks, including a significant strike on a Kyiv apartment building that resulted in 24 fatalities.
Additionally, one of Ukraine’s largest drone offensives aimed at Russia resulted in at least four deaths, three of whom were near Moscow, along with several injuries reported by authorities on Sunday.
Ukraine Develops Its Own Glide Bombs
Throughout more than four years of conflict, Ukraine has enhanced its own long-range capabilities. The nation has been targeting oil facilities crucial to the Russian economy, striking deeper into Russian territory and capturing public attention. This increase in Ukrainian offensive capabilities places additional pressure on Putin, whose military struggles on the battlefield.
On Sunday, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed to have shot down or jammed over 1,000 Ukrainian drones in the past 24 hours, with around 80 drones reportedly headed towards Moscow.
Zelenskyy Observes a Major Shift
According to Zelenskyy, a substantial change is unfolding. He stated on X late Sunday, “Our long-range capabilities are significantly altering the situation — and altering the global perspective on Russia’s war.” He noted that many allies are starting to acknowledge the changes in the dynamics of the conflict and the accessibility of Russian targets within their homeland.
Meanwhile, Russia’s bombardment is straining Ukraine’s air defenses. The Russian Defense Ministry reported on Monday that Ukraine suffered a major setback overnight due to precision strikes using ground and sea-based missiles and drones targeting military facilities and critical infrastructure. The ministry asserted that they successfully hit all intended targets.
Ukraine Claims Russian Strike on Chinese Vessel
As Putin prepares to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing this week, Ukraine’s navy reported that a Russian drone had struck a Chinese-owned cargo ship in the Black Sea near Odesa on Monday. The attack affected the KSL Deyang, flying under a Marshall Islands flag, and involved a crew of Chinese nationals, though details on casualties or damage remain unclear.
In additional developments on Monday, it was confirmed that the bail set for Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy’s former chief of staff, has been fully paid. This follows Yermak being named a suspect in a significant corruption investigation by two Ukrainian watchdogs. Investigators have clarified that Zelenskyy himself is not under suspicion in this case.
