Russia Bombs Ukraine After US Summit

Russia Bombs Ukraine

In a stark show of defiance, Russia launched a barrage of drones and missiles on the Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk overnight, just hours after high-stakes peace talks concluded in Washington. As world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, gathered with European allies to map out a way to end the brutal conflict, Moscow's actions revealed a grim refusal to negotiate.

Kremenchuk's mayor, Vitalii Maletskyi, didn't mince words: "Once again, the world has seen that Putin does not want peace, he wants to destroy Ukraine." The attack, which filled the sky with thick, ominous smoke, targeted critical energy and transportation infrastructure, leaving nearly 1,500 households without power. Ukrainian officials reported no casualties in the Poltava region, but the strike ignited a large fire at an energy facility, emphasizing the ongoing assault on civilian lifelines.

This was not an isolated incident. Ukraine's air force called it Russia's most extensive bombing this month, with 270 drones and 10 missiles striking multiple sites. While Ukrainian defenses successfully shot down 230 drones, 16 locations still experienced hits. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha posted on X to condemn the timing: "While hard work to advance peace was underway in Washington, D.C., Moscow continued to do the opposite: more strikes and destruction."

On the other hand, Russia's Defense Ministry claimed the strikes targeted an oil refinery supplying Ukraine's military. However, they did not confirm if Kremenchuk's main refinery was the specific target. Meanwhile, Russian officials reported retaliation: Ukrainian drones allegedly started fires at a refinery and even on a hospital roof in the Volgograd region. This back-and-forth targeting of infrastructure has become a signature part of the war, with both sides trading blows on oil facilities and beyond.

The assault reached Ukraine's Chernihiv region by Tuesday morning, where another drone strike damaged infrastructure and cut power to more than 30,000 homes. As unexploded cluster munitions litter Kremenchuk's streets, a dangerous reminder of the attack, residents are urged to stay alert.

This escalation occurs amid broader diplomatic ripples. French President Emmanuel Macron has indicated that the U.S. may impose new sanctions on Russia if Putin delays peace efforts. As the conflict continues, these events highlight a fragile global push for resolution amidst persistent aggression.

For those following the Ukraine-Russia crisis, this incident acts as a sobering reminder: True peace requires more than just summits; it calls for de-escalation on the ground. Stay updated with trustworthy news to grasp the changing situation.