Firefighters working at a site of a Russian attack in the city of Smila, Cherkasy region. (June 29, 2025)
At least seven injured in Russian strikes across Ukraine as ceasefire talks stall
At least seven people were injured overnight Saturday into Sunday in Russian strikes targeting several regions across Ukraine, according to Ukrainian authorities.
The attacks came amid a deadlock in ceasefire negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv, with Russia continuing its daily bombardment of Ukrainian towns and villages.
Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia, which currently occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory, launched 477 explosive drones and 60 missiles of various types. Of those, 475 drones and 39 missiles were intercepted, the military said.
The air force also reported “six confirmed impacts” from the Russian strikes but did not provide further details.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of having “long decided to continue the war despite international calls for peace.”
Zelenskyy reiterated that “Ukraine must strengthen its air defenses, which is the best way to save lives,” and again expressed readiness to purchase U.S.-made systems such as the Patriot.
So far, US President Donald Trump, who has drawn closer to Russia since February, has not responded to Kyiv’s request.
According to Ukrainian police, six people, including a child, were injured in the central Cherkasy region. In Ivano-Frankivsk, in western Ukraine and far from the front lines, a woman was wounded and hospitalized, regional governor Svitlana Onyshchuk said.
In addition to civilian casualties, a Ukrainian pilot was killed overnight when his F-16 jet sustained damage mid-air and he was unable to eject, the air force said.
Zelenskyy paid tribute to the pilot in an address, noting he had destroyed “seven aerial targets” launched by Russia during the night.
On Sunday morning, following the night’s wave of attacks, a man in his 60s was killed when a drone strike hit his car in the northeastern Kharkiv region, according to local officials.
Meanwhile, the Russian military claimed it intercepted three Ukrainian drones overnight.
