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Russian forces launched a coordinated overnight barrage of 367 missiles and drones across more than 30 Ukrainian towns and cities, including Kyiv, marking one of the deadliest assaults since the war began. At least 12 civilians, including three children, were killed, according to Ukraine's Emergency Services.
The strikes coincided with a carefully negotiated prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia. Nearly 1,000 detainees from each side were set to be returned over a three-day window, with the final swap scheduled for Sunday. Despite this symbol of tentative diplomacy, Moscow's offensive pushed peace further out of reach.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump swiftly condemned the attack, saying Russian President Vladimir Putin "has gone absolutely CRAZY." "He's needlessly killing a lot of people," Trump posted on Truth Social. "Missiles and drones are being shot into cities in Ukraine, for no reason whatsoever."
Trump's rebuke came just days after he had publicly maintained hope that talks would resume "immediately." The surprise violence left him questioning Putin's state of mind. "Something happened to this guy," Trump told reporters. "I don't like what Putin is doing."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a pointed warning, accusing global leaders, particularly the United States, of emboldening Putin through silence. "Every such terrorist Russian strike is reason enough for new sanctions against Russia," Zelenskyy said on Telegram. "The silence of America...only encourages Putin."
Despite his condemnation of Putin, Trump didn't spare Zelenskyy. In another Truth Social post, Trump criticized the Ukrainian leader's public appeals, saying, "Everything out of his mouth causes problems, I don't like it, and it better stop."
Trump reiterated that the conflict was the result of "Gross Incompetence and Hatred," laying blame on Zelenskyy, Putin, and President Biden. He added, "This is a war that would never have started if I were President."
While Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently proposed a 500% tariff on Russian oil and gas should peace talks falter, implementation remains uncertain. Rubio acknowledged that the move hinges on Trump's approval.
Russia claimed territorial gains during the weekend attacks, saying it had seized three more Ukrainian villages. Kyiv dismissed the claims as false.
As diplomatic efforts stall and missiles rain down, the war's direction appears increasingly volatile. What was meant to be a rare moment of mutual concession, the prisoner swap, was overshadowed by destruction, rhetoric, and deepening distrust on all sides.
