Russia has claimed to have downed seven British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles over the past week, amidst escalating tensions. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces have been targeting Russian energy facilities, including a major oil refinery in Russia’s Rostov region.
Russian drone strikes have damaged vessels in Ukrainian ports, including Slovakia-, Palau-, and Liberia-flagged ships in Odesa and Mykolaiv regions. Ukraine’s deputy prime minister reported these attacks, saying Russia aims to cut Ukraine off from the Black Sea.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s President Volodymr Zelenskyy had a “good conversation” with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner on Thursday, paving the way for the meeting with Trump. The Ukrainian president is willing to withdraw troops from eastern Ukraine if Russia also pulls back and the area becomes a demilitarized zone.
Russia has insisted Ukraine relinquish remaining territory in the Donbas, an ultimatum Ukraine has rejected. Moscow has captured most of Luhansk and about 70% of Donetsk, making up the Donbas region.
Trump has launched a diplomatic push to end the war, but efforts have faced conflicting demands from Moscow and Kyiv. The US president has discussed sending Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, but hopes the war will end without their use.
The situation on the ground remains volatile, with one person killed and three wounded in a guided aerial bomb strike in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region. Six people were also wounded in a missile strike on the city of Uman.
Ukraine has used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to attack Russian industrial targets, aiming to deprive Moscow of oil export revenue. Russia, meanwhile, targets Ukraine’s power grid, seeking to deny civilians access to heat, light, and water.
The outcome of the peace talks and potential impact on the conflict remain uncertain. Zelenskyy and Trump will discuss security guarantees and Ukraine’s territory, with a possible meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin also on the table.
Trump 20 Point Plan Now Revised
The revised 20-point plan has sparked debate, with key territorial questions remaining unresolved. Zelenskyy emphasizes the need for further discussions with Trump to address sensitive issues.
Russia has indicated potential willingness to swap controlled territories in Ukraine, but wants the entire Donbas region. The US proposal’s full details remain undisclosed, leaving room for interpretation.
The conflict has entered its fourth year, with both sides launching strikes. Ukraine has hit Russian oil and gas facilities, while Russia targets Ukrainian ports and energy infrastructure.
Zelenskyy’s meeting with Trump signals renewed momentum in diplomatic efforts to end the war. The Ukrainian president is confident that with US help, the war can be stopped.
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