Russia remains unfazed by former U.S. President Donald Trump's ultimatum and continues to strike targets in Ukraine with undiminished ferocity. On Wednesday night, at least two civilians were killed in Russian attacks in the Kharkiv region of eastern Ukraine, according to local authorities.
In Kryvyi Rih, a city in southeastern Ukraine, massive power outages were reported following drone and missile attacks. Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the military administration, reported around 20 strikes. Water services had to be switched to backup generators, and residents were warned about low water pressure in higher floors. Earlier this week, Trump issued a 50-day ultimatum to Russian President Vladimir Putin, demanding progress toward ending the war in Ukraine.
If no agreement is reached within that time, Trump stated the United States would impose high tariffs on Russia's trading partners. Simultaneously, he announced new arms deliveries to Ukraine. However, Trump made it clear that he did not intend to provide long-range missiles. When asked if he would supply such weapons, he responded, “No, that’s not our intention."
Trump also stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky should not target Moscow. This clarification came after the Financial Times reported that Trump had encouraged Ukraine to consider strikes deep inside Russian territory. During a phone call with Zelensky, he reportedly asked whether Kyiv would consider targeting Moscow or St. Petersburg if the U.S. provided long-range missile systems.
Renewed Overnight Assaults
Russian attacks persisted throughout the night. According to Ukraine’s Prosecutor General, at least two civilians were killed and two others injured in the Kharkiv region. In the village of Prykolotne, located in the Kupiansk district, a man was killed by a remote-controlled drone. In the nearby district city, another man lost his life in a separate Russian strike. Drone attacks were also reported in Kharkiv city itself, with at least three people wounded. The intended target was a civilian enterprise in the heavily populated metropolitan area.
Nationwide Air Raid Alerts
Due to the increased risk of drone attacks, air raid sirens were activated across most of the country. In Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitschko warned of potential strikes and urged residents to take shelter. Meanwhile, U.S. Special Envoy Keith Kellogg met with Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha in Kyiv on Tuesday. The two discussed pathways for the United States and Ukraine to collaborate on ending the war under conditions that would ensure lasting peace.
Political Changes Underway
Ukraine’s Parliament is expected to vote today on the dismissal of Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal’s government. President Zelensky has tasked Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydova with forming a new administration. Shmyhal is expected to replace Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who, in turn, will become Ukraine’s new ambassador to the United States. Ukraine has been resisting Russia’s full-scale invasion for nearly three and a half years.
The Russian military continues to target infrastructure critical to the country’s energy supply, intensifying the humanitarian and logistical challenges across the nation. Russia Unmoved by Trump’s Ultimatum, Intensifies Attacks on Ukraine
