Russian Strikes
Russian strikes overnight claimed the lives of at least 12 people in eastern Ukraine as of Saturday morning, according to the country’s emergency service. The attacks come just days before scheduled negotiations in Saudi Arabia between U.S. and Ukrainian representatives, aimed at reaching a ceasefire agreement.
A Russian assault late Friday struck the center of Dobropillia in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, killing 11 people and injuring 30, as confirmed by Ukrainian emergency services. Meanwhile, a separate drone attack in the city of Bogodukhiv resulted in the death of one person and left seven others wounded, according to Oleg Synegubov, the military head of Kharkiv region.
These overnight strikes followed a statement by U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened to impose new sanctions and tariffs on Russia. However, he also suggested that negotiating with Moscow might be “easier” than working with Kyiv in an effort to bring an end to the three-year-long war.
Trump’s remarks came after a recent meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during which he criticized Ukraine’s position and temporarily suspended U.S. aid to Kyiv in an attempt to push for diplomatic negotiations.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump stated that he found it increasingly difficult to work with Ukraine, remarking, “They don’t have the cards.” He went on to suggest that Russia might be a more straightforward negotiating partner. His comments came just hours after Moscow carried out a large-scale missile and drone attack on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
On his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, “Based on the fact that Russia is absolutely ‘pounding’ Ukraine on the battlefield right now, I am strongly considering large-scale banking sanctions, sanctions, and tariffs on Russia until a ceasefire and final settlement agreement on peace is reached.” He urged both sides to come to the negotiating table immediately to prevent further escalation.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on Friday. During their conversation, Rubio emphasized Trump’s desire to end the war quickly and urged all parties to take necessary steps to secure a sustainable peace, according to a statement from State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce.
Ukrainian President Zelensky is set to arrive in Saudi Arabia on Monday, where he will meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. His visit will precede a meeting between Ukrainian and U.S. officials in the Middle Eastern kingdom the following day. Zelensky stated that his delegation would remain in Saudi Arabia to continue working with American partners, reiterating that Ukraine is committed to achieving peace.
Earlier on Friday, Zelensky renewed calls for a mutual cessation of aerial attacks on critical infrastructure, proposing that both Russian and Ukrainian forces halt strikes as an initial step toward lasting peace. However, the Kremlin has previously dismissed any proposals for a temporary ceasefire, indicating that Moscow is not yet ready to consider such measures.
Russia’s defense ministry reported on Saturday that its air defense systems had intercepted and destroyed 31 Ukrainian drones overnight, with the majority being shot down over Krasnodar Krai.
Additionally, a Ukrainian drone targeted Russia’s Kirishi oil refinery, with air defenses managing to down one drone before impact and another over the facility. Leningrad Governor Aleksandr Drozdenko confirmed that debris from the intercepted drones caused damage to one of the refinery’s external structures. A civilian was also reported injured following a drone attack in Russia’s Belgorod district, near the border with Ukraine.
These latest attacks and retaliatory strikes follow a recent agreement among European Union leaders to bolster the bloc’s defense capabilities amid concerns about potential U.S. disengagement.
Despite the tense diplomatic atmosphere, Washington has confirmed that negotiations with Kyiv are back on track to explore the possibility of securing a ceasefire with Moscow, even after the public fallout between Trump and Zelensky.
