Russia has launched a whole lot of drones and missiles on western Ukraine in a single day in one of many heaviest bombardments in latest weeks, Ukrainian officers have mentioned.
Strikes had been reported in Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, and Lviv, the place one particular person was killed and others injured.
Overseas Minister Andrii Sybiha mentioned the strikes highlighted why diplomatic efforts to finish the warfare and stronger air defences had been “crucial”.
It comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recommended Switzerland, Austria or Turkey as potential venues for potential peace talks together with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
The prospect of a trilateral assembly mediated by the US got here after US President Donald Trump met Putin in Alaska, earlier than internet hosting Zelensky and different European leaders on the White Home.
Zelensky has acknowledged his willingness to fulfill Putin in “any format”.
Hungarian Overseas Minister Peter Szijjarto provided Budapest as a potential venue for such a summit on Thursday.
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban has maintained shut ties with Moscow and has annoyed EU efforts to assist Ukraine within the warfare with Russia previously – so is probably not seen by all as a impartial host.
Talking to reporters on Thursday morning, Zelensky didn’t focus on Hungary’s supply – however mentioned he had requested Trump to stress Hungary into unblocking negotiations for Ukraine to affix the EU.
“Trump promised that his crew would work on this,” he mentioned.
The Ukrainian chief additionally mentioned that Russian forces had been massing on the southern entrance line within the Zaporizhzhia area – one in every of 4 areas of Ukraine that Russia now claims as its personal.
“We are able to see that they proceed transferring a part of their troops from the Kursk route to Zaporizhzhia.”
Ukraine’s air drive counted 614 aerial automobiles amongst Russia’s in a single day assaults, 577 of which it mentioned it had stopped.
Overseas Minister Sybiha mentioned this included a mixture of drones, hypersonic, ballistic, and cruise missiles.
“One of many missiles struck a serious American electronics producer in our westernmost area, resulting in severe harm and casualties,” he wrote on social media on Thursday.
