US President Donald Trump wants to secure a peace agreement to end the war in Ukraine and bring an end to the "senseless killing," the White House said on Thursday. The statement came after Russia carried out one of its deadliest aerial assaults on Kyiv in recent months, leaving at least 21 people dead and dozens more injured. A US official told the sources that despite the latest escalation, Trump remains committed to ending the conflict through diplomacy.
Trump Stays Focused on Ending the War
According to the White House, Trump continues to prioritise efforts to achieve peace between Russia and Ukraine. “President Trump has a humanitarian heart and wants this war settled so the senseless killing ends,” the official said.
The official added that the US President and his team remain hopeful that negotiations can eventually produce a lasting agreement. “The President and his team have worked very hard to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, and he remains optimistic that we’ll ultimately get a peace deal done,” the official added. The remarks came as the latest Russian attack highlighted the growing human cost of the war.
Russia Launches Massive Drone and Missile Assault
Russia launched a large overnight wave of drones and missiles targeting Kyiv. The attack damaged several residential buildings, overwhelmed Ukraine's air defence systems and forced thousands of residents to seek shelter underground. Ukraine's emergency services reported that at least 21 people lost their lives, while another 85 suffered injuries. Two children were among the injured. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko described the assault as the biggest attack on the Ukrainian capital in recent months.
Ukraine Urges Allies to Strengthen Air Defence
Following the attack, Ukraine renewed its appeal for additional air defence support from its international partners. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that improving the country's air defence remains an urgent priority. “Air defence supplies for Ukraine are an absolute and critical priority,” Zelenskyy said in a post on Facebook. “We also very much count on a decision by the United States regarding licences for Patriots.” Ukraine is seeking permission to manufacture ammunition for the US-made Patriot missile defence system. The Patriot remains one of the country's most effective tools against Russian ballistic missiles. However, defence experts believe it will take considerable time before domestic production becomes operational.
Hundreds of Drones and Missiles Fired
Ukraine's air force said Russia launched a total of 496 drones and 74 missiles during the overnight assault. The barrage included ballistic missiles, which are much more difficult to intercept. According to the military, Ukrainian air defences successfully destroyed 48 missiles and 476 drones before they reached their targets. Despite those interceptions, several missiles and drones struck populated areas, causing widespread destruction.
Families Left Homeless After the Attack
Many residents woke up to find their homes destroyed. “Half the building has been destroyed. The roof is gone,” a 32-year-old factory worker Sabina Mambetova, standing outside the rubble of her home in the eastern Darnytskyi district told AFP. “I’ve been left without an apartment, alone with my child. I don’t know what to do now.” The attack left many families without shelter as rescue workers searched through damaged buildings.
Thousands Spend the Night Underground
The scale of the assault forced tens of thousands of Kyiv residents into underground metro stations for safety. According to Kyiv Metro authorities, around 52,000 people, including nearly 4,500 children, took shelter in subway stations during the attack. Officials said this was the highest number recorded in recent years.
Others spent the night inside basements, corridors and bomb shelters while explosions echoed across the city. “It’s hard. My child is used to sleeping in complete silence and darkness,” 32-year-old doctor Kateryna Kucheryava told AFP from the metro as the attack was unfolding. “I picked her up and carried her down. She woke up and now she’s not sleeping anymore.” Many people brought camping chairs, air mattresses and temporary tents into metro stations, while mothers held their babies close as they tried to rest during the night.
Zelenskyy Ends Ireland Visit Early
The Russian attack came shortly after President Zelenskyy cut short his visit to Dublin on Wednesday. He said intelligence reports had warned of a major Russian strike, prompting his early return. Zelenskyy accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of planning the assault well in advance. Putin “has been preparing this massive strike against Ukraine for some time now”, Zelenskyy said.
European Union Considers New Sanctions
Following the deadly attack, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she would propose another round of sanctions against Moscow. However, the Kremlin has given no indication that it plans to reduce its military campaign. The war has now continued for more than four years and has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.
Ukraine and Russia Continue Cross-Border Attacks
While Russia continues its large-scale missile and drone strikes, Ukraine has also intensified long-range drone attacks inside Russian territory in recent weeks. Ukrainian forces have targeted energy facilities and military infrastructure. Meanwhile, Russian officials have reported repeated Ukrainian drone strikes in border regions. Moscow has also claimed that its air defence systems intercepted hundreds of Ukrainian drones over the past several days.
Peace Talks Still Face Major Challenges
The latest attack highlights the ongoing difficulties in achieving a diplomatic solution. Although the United States continues efforts to broker a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, negotiations have so far failed to produce a breakthrough. With both sides continuing military operations, the path toward ending the conflict remains uncertain.