Russia carried out large-scale overnight military strikes less than 24 hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed plans to meet former U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday, escalating tensions amid ongoing diplomatic and battlefield developments.
According to reports, the strikes targeted multiple locations across Ukraine, involving a combination of missiles and drones. Ukrainian authorities said air defence systems were activated in several regions as explosions were reported, raising concerns over civilian safety and infrastructure damage. While the full scale of casualties and destruction is still being assessed, the attacks rank among the most intense in recent weeks.
The timing of the assault has drawn international attention, coming shortly after Zelensky publicly stated his intention to meet Trump to discuss the war, U.S. support for Ukraine, and possible pathways toward ending the conflict. Analysts suggest the strikes may be a strategic signal from Moscow amid shifting political dynamics in the United States and renewed global focus on the war.
Ukraine has continued to urge its allies to strengthen military and air defence support, warning that Russia is intensifying pressure as winter approaches and diplomatic engagements increase. The Kremlin has yet to officially comment on the timing or objectives of the overnight attacks.
The development underscores the fragile security situation in Eastern Europe and highlights how diplomatic moves at the highest level can coincide with sharp escalations on the battlefield