Russian leader Vladimir Putin launched a ballistic missile attack on Kyiv, killing at least 10 people and injuring nearly 100, according to Ukraine's Emergency Services. The strike targeted a defence industry event in the Kyiv region, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said should not have taken place due to the wartime conditions.
Escalating Attacks in Eastern Ukraine
In addition to the Kyiv strike, Russian aerial bomb attacks killed five people and injured nine in the city of Sloviansk, and a Russian drone strike killed two people in the Sumy region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of terrorizing Ukrainian civilians, while Russia denies targeting civilians in the conflict.
Ukraine has been fortifying its border with Belarus, a key ally of Russia, with anti-drone netting, razor wire, and concrete barriers. The border has been closed to civilians since Russia launched its assault on Ukraine from Belarus in 2022.
US-Ukraine Cooperation on Drone Production
President Zelensky announced that Ukraine and the US are moving forward on joint drone production, with a US factory to be built using Ukrainian advanced technology. The deal is seen as a win-win for both countries, with Ukraine seeking to build on its expertise in drone innovation and the US looking to leverage Ukrainian technology to enhance its own drone capabilities.
Zelensky is scheduled to meet with US President Donald Trump in Washington next week to discuss the drone production agreement and potential peace talks with Russia. The meeting comes amid reports that Russia is suffering heavy losses in the conflict, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio estimating that Russia has lost up to 6,000 troops in a week.
Protests in Kyiv over Defence Minister's Ouster
Meanwhile, protests have erupted in Kyiv over the ouster of Ukraine's defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, with demonstrators demanding his reinstatement and the dismissal of the former commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi. The protests have been ongoing for weeks, with hundreds of people gathering outside the presidential office to press their demands.
Ukrainian officials are watching the situation closely, with Acting Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara meeting with US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker to discuss cooperation on the battlefield. The meeting comes as Ukraine seeks to ramp up its military capabilities and push for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
