Russia Escalates Attacks on Ukraine Amid Global Talks

Kyiv, Sep 3 (AP): On Wednesday, Russia launched a massive barrage of over 500 drones and two dozen missiles at Ukraine, as revealed by authorities. The onslaught comes amid ongoing discussions between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders, focused on bolstering Ukraine's defenses and reinvigorating US-led peace initiatives, which have yet to bear fruit.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that the primary targets during the night raids were civilian infrastructures, particularly those related to energy, with another harsh winter looming as Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine enters its third year. The attacks mainly struck western and central Ukraine, leading to injuries to at least five individuals, according to the Ukrainian air force.

In recent months, Russian aerial assaults on civilian territories and attempts to break Ukraine's defenses along the extensive 1,000-kilometer front have persisted, despite US President Donald Trump's interventions to halt the hostilities.

Although Zelenskyy has shown willingness to engage in Trump's proposed ceasefire and face-to-face discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin remains opposed.

As diplomatic engagements continue, Putin was spotted in China, holding talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to Washington, these nations are assisting Russia's military campaign, with Pyongyang supplying troops and ammunition, while China and India purchase Russian oil, inadvertently supporting Russia's wartime economy.

Zelenskyy characterized the overnight strikes as a “demonstrative” act, asserting, “Putin is demonstrating his impunity,” on Telegram. He called for intensified sanctions against Russia, blaming the aggression on insufficient pressure, primarily targeting the war economy. “There is a noticeable increase in Russian drone strikes, even during the day,” Zelenskyy noted in his daily video address on Tuesday evening, while highlighting “another buildup of Russian forces in some areas of the front.”

On Tuesday, Zelenskyy arrived in Denmark to engage in discussions with Northern European and Baltic nations regarding additional military support and more extensive diplomatic backing for Ukraine.

Simultaneously, British Defence Secretary John Healey reached Kyiv for discussions on enhancing Ukraine's military capabilities.

Later on Wednesday, Zelenskyy was set to visit Paris for talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, preceding a Thursday gathering of European countries to deliberate postwar security guarantees they might extend alongside the United States. (AP) SKS GSP

(Only the headline of this report may have been reworked by Editorji; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)