Russia Launches Drone Strikes on Kyiv Following Trump’s Election Victory
In a significant escalation of tensions, Russia executed a large-scale drone attack on Kyiv just hours after Donald Trump's victory in the recent U.S. presidential election. The Kremlin issued a call to the West, urging an end to support for the Ukrainian government, in a bid to "save its people." The ominous sound of Iranian Shahed drones was reported around 6 AM local time, as the Ukrainian capital faced a barrage of machine gunfire and explosions. Despite the efforts of air defense systems, the attack persisted for eight hours.
Kyiv's mayor, Vitali Klitschko, confirmed that five districts were impacted during the assault. Approximately 30 drones were intercepted, although falling debris ignited a blaze in a high-rise building, shattering windows and leaving one individual injured. As the situation unfolded, additional airstrikes were reported in Odesa and Kherson, resulting in the deaths of two people.
Ukrainian commentators noted that these attacks have become almost routine, suggesting that Moscow shows little interest in pursuing peace. Maria Avdeeva expressed on social media, "Ending the war is what everyone here wants, except Putin who has other plans."
In the wake of Trump's election, Ukrainian officials cautiously hoped for continued U.S. support. However, many experts warn that the president-elect may be inclined to reduce or end military assistance to Ukraine, further destabilizing its position on the battlefield while possibly pushing for peace negotiations. Outgoing President Joe Biden had previously asserted that Ukraine should dictate the terms of its negotiations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed a productive conversation with Trump, congratulating him on what he termed a "historic and decisive victory," and emphasized the importance of close dialogue and partnership. Zelenskyy stated, "Strong and unwavering U.S. leadership is essential for the world and for a just peace."
In a response to the escalating conflict, Russia's Security Council Secretary, Sergei Shoigu, indicated that the West should acknowledge Russia's victories in Ukraine and move towards negotiations. Shoigu, who served as the defense minister from 2012 to 2024, claimed that Western nations had attempted to leverage Ukraine for a strategic defeat of Russia, a strategy he asserted had failed.
Now, he argued, the West faces a pivotal choice: to continue funding the Kyiv regime, thus exacerbating the destruction of the Ukrainian populace, or to recognize current realities and commence negotiations. Shoigu described Ukraine's leadership as "terrorists" under external control, suggesting that any peace talks would require the removal of Zelenskyy, a demand previously made by Russia following its failed attempts to capture Kyiv in the early stages of the war.
Since the onset of the full-scale invasion in 2022, President Putin had annexed four Ukrainian regions: Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson; however, Russia currently holds full control only over Luhansk. The Kremlin is expected to call for additional territorial concessions, reparations, the establishment of a buffer zone, and guarantees regarding Ukraine's non-NATO status as conditions for any potential peace agreement.
On Thursday, Zelenskyy made his inaugural visit to Hungary since the invasion to attend the European Community Summit, where he was expected to meet with Hungary's pro-Kremlin leader, Viktor Orbán, along with European Council President Charles Michel. As these developments unfold, the stakes remain high for Ukraine and the broader geopolitical landscape.
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