Russia strikes Ukraine’s gas, energy, civilian areas

Russia fired nearly 70 missiles and sent about 200 drones in an overnight attack on Ukrainian infrastructure, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday morning. The attack hit energy facilities in the provinces of Odesa, Poltava, Chernihiv, and Ternopil.

The strikes killed three people in the village of Kostyantynivka near the front lines, its governor said. At least 18 people, including four children, were also wounded, according to regional reports compiled by the BBC. Glide bombs destroyed about 30 buildings in the eastern Donetsk town of Slovyansk, a military administrator said.

Ukraine used Mirage aircraft to successfully intercept Russian cruise missiles during the attack, Zelenskyy said. The aircraft were recently provided by France. The Ukrainian president reiterated his willingness to enter a truce on air and sea warfare with Russia.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the attack was not a response to the truce proposal, also floated recently by French President Macron.

How did the United States respond? President Donald Trump on Friday threatened to impose large-scale sanctions and tariffs on Russia until a ceasefire and negotiations begin. The United States already has numerous sanctions affecting Russia. Trump said that both Russia and Ukraine need to get to the bargaining table immediately. Diplomats from Ukraine and the United States are scheduled to meet in Saudi Arabia next week to continue working on a peace plan.