While international diplomacy is closely watching the peace initiative proposed by former US President Donald Trump, Russia has stepped up its military operations in Ukraine. For the first time in more than two months, Kiev has suffered a combined drone and missile attack, forcing many citizens to seek refuge in subway stations. This escalation could significantly affect the ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has ruled out the idea of a ceasefire along the current front line. Ukrainian intelligence services have claimed responsibility for the killing of a Russian officer in Sevastopol, accused of orchestrating attacks on several Ukrainian cities. Lavrov said that Trump’s return to the White House would not change the US approach to the conflict, as the main goal remains to weaken Russia. However, he also commented on the proposals attributed to Trump, saying that freezing hostilities would be a re-run of the Minsk agreements. Meanwhile, Russian forces have launched new strikes on Kiev and seven other Ukrainian regions. The strikes coincided with a visit to Brussels by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who promised a “firm response” to the involvement of North Korean troops in Russian operations. According to the State Department, more than 10,000 North Korean troops have been sent to Russia to support the war effort.
Kiev suffered a sustained attack lasting more than two hours, marking a significant return to violence after 73 days of relative calm. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that 90 drones were used, with a good number shot down during the raids. Despite the severity of the situation, no deaths were reported in the capital; however, there were casualties in the bombing of other cities. In addition, Ukrainian intelligence services have claimed responsibility for the attack that killed a Russian Black Sea Fleet officer in Sevastopol. This event marks another stage in the clandestine war between the two nations. The air alert was issued nationwide in response to the attacks on Kiev and other regions. Local authorities confirmed significant damage to infrastructure in cities such as Zaporizhzhia and Beryslav.
The current escalation suggests that the war could enter a more complex and bloody phase, with implications not only for Ukraine and Russia but also for global geopolitical stability. With the conflict continuing to rapidly evolve, it remains to be seen whether diplomatic efforts will succeed in finding a lasting solution or whether hostilities can be expected to escalate further in the coming months.
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