Russia Dismisses Peace Talks After Largest Assault on Ukraine Since Start of Invasion

KYIV, Ukraine – 5 July 2025 (BSS/AFP): Russia on Friday dismissed prospects for a diplomatic resolution to the war in Ukraine, just hours after launching the most extensive drone and missile assault since its invasion began over three years ago.

The night-long bombardment sent Ukrainians scrambling to air raid shelters across the country, including in the capital Kyiv, where the skies buzzed with drones and rang with explosions as air defence systems were activated.

The massive strike came shortly after a phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which concluded without any breakthrough. Trump later confirmed that no meaningful progress had been made towards ending the war.

“I’ve made no headway,” Trump told reporters. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also spoke with Trump and said the two agreed to intensify efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s air defences.

“We discussed opportunities in air defence and agreed to work together to better protect our skies,” Zelensky stated on social media.

‘Unprecedented Attack’

The Ukrainian air force said the barrage consisted of 539 drones and 11 missiles — the largest assault of the war to date. At least 26 people were injured in Kyiv alone, according to emergency services, with one person rescued from rubble caused by the strikes.

“This was unlike anything we’ve experienced,” said Tymur, a Kyiv resident who had endured numerous previous attacks. “There have never been this many explosions. The scale was terrifying.”

Poland reported that its embassy in Kyiv sustained damage, although no injuries were reported among staff.

Moscow Signals No Ceasefire Ahead

Despite ongoing international efforts, the Kremlin made it clear on Friday that it sees no immediate diplomatic resolution. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated that while Russia “prefers” a political or diplomatic path, “as long as that is not possible, we are continuing the special operation.”

Zelensky condemned the timing of the assault, which coincided with his and Trump’s phone call and that of Trump and Putin. “Russia is clearly demonstrating that it has no intention of ending the war or halting its campaign of terror,” he said.

He urged the United States and its allies to increase pressure on Moscow, particularly in light of recent Russian gains, including the capture of a village in the Donetsk region.

Calls for Greater Support

Germany’s Foreign Ministry also condemned the timing of the attack, saying Moscow remains committed to “brute force.” A government spokesperson confirmed Berlin is exploring the purchase of additional US-made Patriot missile systems to bolster Ukraine’s air defences.

“Ukraine needs more to defend itself, not less,” the ministry said in a social media statement.

Concerns are mounting in Kyiv over the future of US military support, especially after Washington announced it would be scaling back some aid deliveries. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen responded by urging the European Union to “step up” its support, calling the moment a “clear signal” of the need for European leadership.

Civilians Endure Terror

As Kyiv residents took shelter in metro stations, many shared stories of fear and resilience. Yuliia Golovnina, 47, described the panic of sitting underground while explosions rang out overhead.

“In those seconds, you just hold your breath and wait,” she said. “You don’t know if the next blast is the last one.”

An AFP tally found that Russia launched a record number of aerial attacks in June, a period during which diplomatic efforts between Kyiv and Moscow had visibly stalled.

Prisoner Swap Continues Amid Stalled Peace Talks

Despite the escalation, limited cooperation between the two sides persists. On Friday, Russia and Ukraine conducted a fresh prisoner exchange — part of a deal reached last month to swap 1,000 prisoners each. However, broader peace negotiations have stalled, with delegations not meeting for more than a month.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has intensified retaliatory drone strikes across the Russian border. In the southern Rostov region, a woman was killed overnight in a Ukrainian drone attack, according to the local governor.

As diplomacy falters and both sides brace for further escalation, Ukraine remains under siege, with its allies weighing how best to sustain support in the face of Russia’s largest aerial onslaught since the war began.