In yet another brutal assault, Russia launched a massive overnight drone attack on Ukraine, targeting civilians and infrastructure in Kharkiv and Dnipro.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wasted no time in calling out Moscow’s actions, saying they prove that Russia has no genuine interest in ending the war.
This escalation comes at a critical moment, as Zelensky heads to Paris for a high-stakes summit with European leaders to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine in case a ceasefire is ever reached.
European Leaders Meet to Discuss Ukraine’s Security Future
Today’s summit in Paris is expected to be a crucial turning point.
European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, are gathering to determine how to protect Ukraine once a ceasefire is agreed upon.
Discussions include the possibility of deploying military forces through a ‘coalition of the willing.’
Zelensky is pushing for decisive action, stating that he expects “strong decisions” from the meeting.
Meanwhile, tensions between Russia and Ukraine continue to rise, with both sides accusing each other of obstructing peace efforts.
Moscow Rejects Ceasefire, Continues Relentless Bombardment
French President Emmanuel Macron has openly criticized Russia for prolonging the war, dismissing Moscow’s claims of being open to peace negotiations.
“We need to put pressure on Russia so that the war ends,” Macron asserted ahead of the summit.
His remarks come after Russia rejected a 30-day ceasefire proposal brokered by Ukraine and the United States.
Moscow’s latest attack involved 86 Iranian-designed Shahed drones, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.
Out of these, 42 were shot down, while another 26 missed their targets due to electronic countermeasures.
However, several drones struck civilian areas, leaving at least 11 people injured, including children as young as 12.
Terrifying Moments as Civilians Scramble for Safety
The drone strikes left scenes of panic and destruction across Ukraine.
One particularly harrowing moment was captured on video when a football match in Kharkiv was abruptly interrupted as players ran for cover from an incoming drone.
Multiple drones caused fires in four different locations, damaging residential buildings, vehicles, and key infrastructure.
In Dnipro, three people were wounded in the attacks, including two elderly women aged 75 and 78.
Ukraine Calls Out Putin’s False Promises of Peace
Zelensky made it clear that he agreed to a ceasefire in part to expose Russia’s deceptive peace claims.
According to the Ukrainian president, Russia has repeatedly told world leaders—including Donald Trump and Middle Eastern officials—that it is ready for peace, while simultaneously escalating attacks.
“They always tell me in private that Putin is ready for a ceasefire, but we now see that he is not,” Zelensky stated.
He believes Moscow’s propaganda has misled international figures into thinking Ukraine is the one resisting peace.
Ukraine Strikes Back With Devastating Blow to Russian Airbase
While Ukraine has been on the defensive, it also delivered a significant blow to Russia’s military capabilities.
Kyiv confirmed that a recent attack on the Engels-2 airbase—located over 375 miles from Ukrainian-controlled territory—caused catastrophic damage.
According to Ukraine’s military, nearly 100 Russian cruise missiles were destroyed in a massive secondary detonation at the base.
The estimated loss for Russia is between £450 million and £820 million.
The Engels-2 base is home to Putin’s strategic nuclear bombers, including the Tu-95 and Tu-160, which have been used to launch Kh-101 and Kh-555 missiles against Ukraine.
Footage Reveals Devastation as Explosions Rock Russian Territory
Explosive footage from the strike showed towering flames and a massive mushroom cloud rising over the Russian airbase.
Reports indicate that debris scattered more than three miles from the blast site, with secondary explosions continuing for days.
Following this devastating strike, Russia has relied more heavily on drone warfare instead of cruise missile attacks, suggesting a significant depletion of its arsenal.
British intelligence recently labeled this strike as Ukraine’s most successful attack on Russian munitions this year.
The Path Forward: Will Peace Talks Succeed?
With Moscow intensifying its attacks and Ukraine striking back with high-impact operations, the possibility of a ceasefire seems more uncertain than ever.
As Zelensky meets with European leaders, the world watches closely to see whether stronger international support can change the course of the conflict.
For now, Ukraine remains defiant, Russia remains aggressive, and the future of peace talks hangs in the balance.