Russia-Ukraine war: Kremlin says it cannot achieve goals through 'diplomatic means'; vows to continue special operation

The Kremlin on Friday said that it is currently unable to meet its goals in Ukraine through diplomacy, just as Russia launched its largest drone and missile assault on Ukrainian cities overnight.

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with US President Donald Trump on Thursday. Hours later, explosions echoed across Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions as hundreds of drones and missiles targeted the country.

“We are interested in achieving our goals in the course of the special military operation and it is preferable to do it by political and diplomatic means,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday. “But until that is not possible, we are continuing the special operation.”

The overnight barrage, according to Ukraine, involved 550 weapons in total. The Ukrainian air force said Russia fired 539 drones and 11 missiles, calling it the largest aerial strike since the invasion began.

Air defences shot down 268 drones and two missiles, the military added.

AFP journalists in Kyiv reported hearing drones buzzing above and loud blasts throughout the night as defence systems intercepted the attacks. The capital’s skies were lit with flashes, with many residents forced into shelters.

Tymur, a Kyiv resident who has lived through past strikes, said this one felt different. “Nothing like this attack had ever happened before. There have never been so many explosions,” he said. “Peaceful people live here. That's all.”