Russia Launches 500 Drones, Missiles on Ukraine as Peace Efforts Falter

Russia unleashed more than 500 drones and two dozen missiles on Ukraine overnight, Kyiv said Wednesday, as President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders pushed for stronger defenses and revived, but so far fruitless, U.S.-led peace initiatives.

Zelensky said the main targets were civilian infrastructure and energy facilities in central and western Ukraine. At least five people were wounded, the air force reported. He called the strikes “demonstrative,” accusing Moscow of acting with impunity and urging tougher sanctions on Russia’s war economy.

Despite repeated Russian attacks along the 1,000-kilometer front, Zelensky has accepted U.S. President Donald Trump’s ceasefire proposal and the idea of direct talks with Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin, however, remains cautious. Speaking in Beijing, Putin said he saw “a certain light at the end of the tunnel,” but warned Russia would press on militarily if diplomacy failed. He added he was willing to meet Zelensky in Moscow, provided the summit was “well prepared.”

Trump and Zelensky are due to speak Thursday, according to a White House official.

Meanwhile, Putin concluded a four-day visit to China, where he met Xi Jinping, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi—countries Washington accuses of propping up Moscow’s war effort. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned Beijing’s supply of dual-use goods was giving Russia critical support.

In Europe, Zelensky met Nordic and Baltic leaders in Denmark to discuss new aid, including a U.S.-sourced, EU-financed arms program with over $2 billion already pledged. France’s Emmanuel Macron welcomed him to Paris ahead of a Thursday meeting on postwar security guarantees, with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte signaling clarity soon on allied commitments.

“Unfortunately, we have not yet seen any signals from Russia that they want to end this war,” Zelensky said. “But I am sure our unity with Europe and America will help increase pressure on Russia to move toward a diplomatic solution.”