Russia launched its largest drone assault to date on Ukraine overnight, striking Kyiv with 539 unmanned aerial vehicles and 11 missiles just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump's call with Russian President Vladimir Putin ended in frustration, according to Ukrainian officials. The aerial attack killed at least one person and injured 23 others, marking one of the most destructive assaults of the war's third year.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Friday: "Notably, the first air raid alerts in our cities and regions yesterday began to blare almost simultaneously with media reports discussing a phone call between President Trump and Putin." He added: "Yet again, Russia is showing it has no intention of ending the war and terror."
Ukraine's Air Force said 476 drones were intercepted, including 60 downed by new drone-to-drone interceptors. Fires broke out across six of Kyiv's 10 districts. The strikes damaged at least 40 apartment buildings, five schools, a railway line, and a medical facility. Debris from falling drones ignited several fires, including at a medical center in Holosiivskyi district.
Poland's consulate sustained damage in the blast, prompting Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski to call on the U.S. to "restore supplies of anti-aircraft ammunition to Ukraine and impose tough new sanctions on the aggressor." Kyiv's mayor, Vitali Klitschko, confirmed that 14 of the injured were hospitalized.
Zelensky described the overnight assault as "one of the most large-scale air attacks" the country has experienced, and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said: "Absolutely horrible and sleepless night in Kyiv. One of the worst so far." He also noted a Chinese component was recovered from one of the drones.
Trump confirmed Thursday's hour-long phone call with Putin but acknowledged that it yielded no diplomatic progress. "We had a call. It was a pretty long call. We talked about a lot of things, including Iran and we also talked about, as you know, the war with Ukraine," Trump said. When asked if the discussion moved the peace process forward, Trump responded: "No." He added, He was "very disappointed."
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Putin reiterated Russia's commitment to achieving its objectives in Ukraine, though "preferably by political and diplomatic means."
Ukrainians blamed the intensified attack on Trump's apparent inability to pressure Putin. "This attack happened immediately after Putin's conversation with Trump, and it confirms that Trump is a scoundrel," said Kyiv resident Yuriy. "He is not helping in any way during his presidency."
Zelensky spoke with Trump again on Friday morning. Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak described the conversation as "very important and meaningful," though did not offer specifics.
Trump's administration recently halted shipments of some U.S. weapons to Ukraine, including air defense missiles, citing concerns over dwindling American stockpiles. The decision has raised alarm in Kyiv as Russia escalates aerial warfare.
Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces commander warned Friday that Russia may soon deploy up to 1,000 long-range drones per day, based on intelligence assessments. On the battlefield, Russian forces continue to press their advantage with nightly barrages.
Germany announced plans to purchase Patriot air defense systems to fill gaps caused by the U.S. pause in aid, while Zelensky urged further sanctions against Russia. "For every such strike against people and human life, they must feel appropriate sanctions and other blows to their economy, their revenues, and their infrastructure," he said.
Ukrainian authorities also reported that late Thursday, Russian shelling killed five civilians near Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine.
