Welcome back to our ongoing live coverage of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, a situation that continues to capture global attention and concern.

For the third consecutive night, Kyiv has come under assault from Russian drones, highlighting the escalating tension and violence in the region. This surge in attacks comes despite recent statements from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has warned that any attempt by Russian President Vladimir Putin to expand his territorial ambitions in Ukraine could ultimately lead to the “downfall” of Russia itself.

In a post shared on social media yesterday, Trump expressed his long-standing relationship with Putin, stating, “I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY!” He further elaborated, “I’ve always said that he wants ALL of Ukraine, not just a piece of it, and maybe that’s proving to be right, but if he does, it will lead to the downfall of Russia!” Trump's remarks underscore his belief that Putin's aggressive strategy could backfire and destabilize Russia.

Adding to the complexity of the situation, Trump did not shy away from criticizing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with whom he has had a strained relationship. Trump remarked, “He is doing his Country no favours by talking the way he does. Everything out of his mouth causes problems, I don’t like it, and it better stop.” This statement indicates a growing impatience on Trump's part towards both leaders involved in the conflict.

During a separate interaction with reporters on Sunday night, Trump expressed his bewilderment regarding Putin’s recent actions: “I don’t know what the hell happened to Putin. I’ve known him a long time. Always gotten along with him. But he’s sending rockets into cities and killing people, and I don’t like it at all.” His comments reflect a mixture of frustration and concern for the humanitarian crises unfolding as a result of the ongoing war.

When questioned about the possibility of imposing additional sanctions on Russia—a measure that the European Union has been advocating for—Trump responded affirmatively, stating, “Absolutely.” This suggests a potential shift in U.S. policy, as Washington has previously shown reluctance to adopt stricter measures against Russia.

The context for Trump's comments is grim, as recent Russian strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 12 individuals in Ukraine, marking a particularly violent period. Reports indicate that the night of Saturday into Sunday saw the highest number of drones and missiles launched against Ukraine since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. The Ukrainian air force reported a staggering total of 298 drones and 69 missiles launched at the country overnight, successfully intercepting 45 missiles and 266 drones.

In light of these events, President Zelenskyy has called for fresh sanctions against Russia, emphasizing that the lack of response from the United States and other nations is only serving to embolden Putin’s escalating offensive. Amidst the ongoing turmoil, further attacks from Moscow continued into Sunday night, though reports indicated these were less widespread compared to previous nights. Nonetheless, the Odesa region saw a series of destructive fires following Russian drone strikes.

In the early hours, Ukraine’s air force reported that incursions by drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) had been effectively repelled across all regions. However, the impact of the attacks continues to resonate, with Timur Tkachenko, the head of Kyiv’s military administration, reporting damage in the Dnipro district of the Ukrainian capital. This incident marked the third consecutive night of assaults on Kyiv, with Tkachenko noting that broken windows were observed in residential buildings and debris fell onto the grounds of a garage cooperative and a recreational facility. Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of casualties from this particular assault.

As the conflict continues to unfold, images of explosions lighting up the night sky in Kyiv have become emblematic of the ongoing struggle. Ukrainian servicemen remain vigilant, firing at drones during these relentless Russian strikes. The situation remains critical as both local and international responses to these developments continue to evolve.