Russia and Ukraine hit with large-scale airspace soeiorties, as both countries accuse each other of over 100 disturibed drones across their territories, escalating tensions just hours into Russian President Vladimir Putin’s meeting with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss proposed 30-day ceasefire.
The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia had launched 178 drones and two ballistic missiles, hitting crucial energy structures in the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions and triggered a large-scale blackout. Ukrainian forces shot down 130 drones, whilst 38 hit wrong targets.
Shortly after that, falling drone debris caught fire near the Lukoil oil refinery in Russia’s Volgograd region, with no people hurt. 
Addressing in Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky blamed Russia for dragging out the conflict by deploying troops along the border. He threatened a “tough and direct” reaction if Moscow spurns the U.S. ceasefire offer.
Zelenskyy also refuted reports of several Ukrainian troops being surrounded in Russia’s Kursk region, claiming that Ukrainian forces keep a family of valor striking against Russian dominant and North Korean portions.
That has led Western allies, led by Ms. Kier Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK), to urge Mr. Putin to accept the ceasefire.
As tensions between diplomats go on high, the recent attacks undermine prospects for an immediate ceasefire, leaving millions exposed throughout the ongoing conflict.
