Russian drone strikes have hit a military hospital, a shopping center, and residential buildings in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, resulting in two fatalities and numerous injuries. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his frustration towards Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding comments made about Ukraine’s leadership.
The assault on Kharkiv, which inflicted significant damage on the military hospital, occurred as Ukraine sought increased support from Western allies to compel Russia to cease its extensive invasion.
According to Ukraine’s air force, Russia launched 111 drones and a ballistic missile overnight, targeting the regions of Kharkiv, Sumy, Odesa, and Donetsk. Air defense systems successfully intercepted 65 drones and jammed 35 others. Although Russia’s Defense Ministry reported hitting 140 sites across Ukraine, including military airfields and ammunition depots, it did not acknowledge the attack on the hospital.
As hostilities continue, both parties have accused one another of breaching a U.S.-mediated partial ceasefire, while Russia persists with its extensive drone strikes.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that Russian forces had targeted “most regions of Ukraine” in the past week. He disclosed that 1,310 guided aerial bombs, over 1,000 attack drones—predominantly Shaheds—and nine missiles, including ballistic types, had been deployed.
Zelenskyy further accused Russia of dragging out ceasefire negotiations to buy time and expand its territorial gains, reiterating comments he made previously in Paris. He emphasized that in the last week, “most regions of Ukraine” faced Russian aggression. In a post on X, he outlined that Russia had launched 1,310 guided aerial bombs, more than 1,000 attack drones—mainly Shaheds—and nine missiles of various kinds, including ballistic ones.
Zelenskyy reiterated his assertion that “Russia is prolonging the war,” reflecting his earlier statements made in Paris on Thursday, where he accused Moscow of extending ceasefire negotiations to “gain time and attempt to seize more territory.”
In a separate development, Russia’s Ministry of Defense reported that its air defense systems intercepted six Ukrainian drones. Additionally, on Sunday, it claimed that its forces had gained control of a village in the partially occupied Donetsk region of Ukraine. This assertion has not been independently verified, and Ukraine has not provided a response.
Ukrainian government and military analysts suggest that Russian forces are gearing up for a new military offensive in the upcoming weeks, aiming to increase pressure on Kyiv and bolster the Kremlin’s position in ceasefire negotiations.
In a phone interview with NBC News early Sunday morning, Trump referred to remarks made by Putin on Friday regarding the temporary external governance of Ukraine. Trump expressed his frustration, stating he was “angry, pissed off” when Putin began questioning Zelenskyy’s credibility.
Putin reiterated his stance that Zelenskyy, whose term ended last year, lacks the authority to negotiate a peace agreement. According to Ukraine’s constitution, holding national elections is prohibited while martial law is in effect.
Trump informed Kristen Welker, “If a deal is not reached, and I believe Russia is to blame, I will impose secondary sanctions on Russia. Anyone purchasing oil from Russia will be barred from selling any products, not just oil, in the United States.”
Despite this, Trump emphasized that he maintains a “very good relationship” with Putin.
