Putin launches record attack on Kyiv after ‘disappointing’ Trump phone call
Vladimir Putin fired 550 drones and missiles at Ukraine in a new record attack hours after Donald Trump lamented their “disappointing” phone call.
Kyiv was the main focus of Russia’s overnight bombardment, which left 14 Ukrainians in hospital, according to Vitali Klitschko, the city’s mayor.
“Absolutely horrible and sleepless night in Kyiv. One of the worst so far. Hundreds of Russian drones and ballistic missiles rained down on the Ukrainian capital. Right after Putin spoke with President Trump,” Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine’s foreign minister, said.
Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, said Russia would not “change its dumb, destructive behaviour” without increasing pressure, particularly from the US.
The attack, which broke a record set only last weekend, came hours after Mr Trump spoke with Putin, a phone call the US president described as “disappointing”.
“I’m very disappointed with the conversation I had today with President Putin, because I don’t think he’s there,” he told reporters. “I’m just saying I don’t think he’s looking to stop, and that’s too bad.”
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov claimed Putin and Mr Trump were “on the same page”. The US president disagreed: “I didn’t make any progress with him at all.”
Ukrainians pack into bomb shelter
Russia expands chemical weapons use in Ukraine, says German spy agency
Russia has increased its use of chemical weapons in Ukraine, Germany’s BND foreign intelligence agency said on Friday, citing evidence it obtained alongside its Dutch counterparts.
Russia uses not only tear gas, but also “the more dangerous chemical chloropicrin, which can be lethal in high concentrations in enclosed spaces” in Ukraine, the BND said in a statement.
“This represents a more serious violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, which prohibits the use of this lung warfare agent under all circumstances,” it said.
The defence minister and chief of military intelligence in the Netherlands told Reuters.
Polish embassy damaged in attack on Kyiv
The Polish embassy was damaged during a Russian attack on Kyiv, Poland’s foreign minister has said.
“In a massive (Russian) attack on Kyiv, the building of our embassy’s consular section was damaged,” Radoslaw Sikorski wrote on X.
“I just spoke with Ambassador Lukasiewicz; everyone is safe and sound. Ukraine urgently needs air defence resources.”
Pictured: Aftermath of Russia’s record attack
A woman looks at destroyed vehicles at the site of a damaged school Credit: REUTERS
Has the US paused weapons shipments to Ukraine?
The extent to which the US has suspended weapons deliveries to Ukraine remains unclear.
Tammy Bruce, a State Department spokesperson, said the US “hasn’t paused” sending weapons to Ukraine but that the recent suspension is “one aspect, one situation, one event that has been changed”.
But Sean Parnell, a senior Pentagon spokesperson, said the defence department had “paused” weapons to Ukraine in order to conduct a “capability review”.
Mr Trump, meanwhile, said last night not all weapons shipments had been paused.
“We’re giving weapons, but we’ve given so many weapons. But we are giving weapons. And we’re working with them and trying to help them, but we haven’t,” he said.
“You know, Biden emptied out our whole country giving them weapons, and we have to make sure that we have enough for ourselves.”
We need Russia to win the war, China admits
Beijing cannot afford for Russia to lose the war in Ukraine as this would shift the United States’ focus to China, the country’s foreign minister has said.
The comments were made during a four-hour meeting between Wang and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas, according to several sources who spoke to the South China Morning Post.
The remarks took many by surprise as Chinese officials do not often speak this candidly, even in closed door meetings.
According to those familiar with the conversation, Wang also gave Ms Kallas several “history lessons and lectures”, which centred on realpolitik and concerns in Beijing that Washington will gradually turn its attention east.
Both Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth have both made it clear that security in the Indo-Pacific and mitigating a threat from China is a top priority for the administration.
Watch: Trump says he’s ‘disappointed’ with Putin
Donald Trump said he was “disappointed” by a phone call with Vladimir Putin after the pair spoke for less than an hour on Thursday.
“I’m very disappointed with the conversation I had today with President Putin, because I don’t think he’s there,” he told reporters. “I’m just saying I don’t think he’s looking to stop, and that’s too bad.”
Pictured: Russian drone intercepted above Kyiv
Russia will not change its ‘dumb behaviour’, says Zelensky
Volodymyr Zelensky has said last night’s record attack on Ukraine shows Russia has no intention to change its “dumb, destructive behaviour”.
The Ukrainian president said Kyiv had suffered a “brutal, sleepless” night after hundreds of Iranian-made Shahed drones were fired at the country.
“All of this is clear evidence that without truly large-scale pressure, Russia will not change its dumb, destructive behaviour,” he wrote on X.
Mr Zelensky also called on Ukraine’s partners – including the US – to increase pressure on Russia to end the war.
Watch: Kyiv hit in record Russian attack
‘One of the worst nights so far’
Ukraine’s foreign minister said Kyiv had suffered “one of the worst nights” of the war so far after Russia fired hundreds of drones and ballistic missiles at the capital overnight.
“Right after Putin spoke with President Trump. And he does it on purpose. Enough of waiting!” Andrii Sybiha said.
“Putin clearly shows his complete disregard for the United States and everyone who has called for an end to the war.”
Russia launches another record attack on Ukraine
Russia launched yet another record attack on Ukraine overnight, firing 539 drones and 11 ballistic and cruise missiles, the Ukrainian air force has said.
Russia hit Kyiv with drones in an all-night attack, injuring at least 23 people, damaging railway infrastructure and setting buildings and cars on fire throughout the city, Ukrainian authorities said this morning.
“The main target of the strikes was the capital of Ukraine, the city of Kyiv!” the Air Force said in a post on the Telegram messaging app.
It breaks a record set by Russia on Saturday, when 537 drones and missiles were launched at Ukraine.