UN Condemns Major Russian Drone Strikes, Calls for Unconditional Ceasefire

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned Russia’s “large-scale drone and missile attacks” after Moscow launched major aerial assaults across Ukraine for two consecutive nights. 

The first of the two strikes started on Thursday evening, with the first waves of drones arriving in Kyiv soon after a phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin. 

Guterres condemned the strikes and called for a full, immediate ceasefire, according to AFP. 

“The Secretary-General strongly condemns the latest series of large-scale drone and missile attacks by the Russian Federation,” a UN statement says. 

“The Secretary-General is alarmed by this dangerous escalation and the growing number of civilian casualties. Attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure are prohibited under international law and must stop immediately,” said the statement issued by UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

The Russian assaults came amid reports of a US weapon delivery freeze to Kyiv, including missiles vital to Kyiv’s defense.

On Friday morning, the country’s capital was engulfed in flames after Moscow unleashed 550 drones and missiles on the city, with Kyiv Post correspondents reporting audible explosions throughout the night. 

The attack was followed by another major assault on Friday evening as hundreds of drones flew towards Kyiv. 

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Following his Thursday call with Putin, Trump said he was “not happy” and “disappointed” with the call, later saying that he believes Putin does not intend to stop the invasion despite his mediation efforts. 

Trump also had a call with President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday. Zelensky said the two discussed air defense procurement and potential joint arms production without referring to the recent arms halt in his public remarks. 

Following his call with Zelensky, Trump hinted at stepping up sanctions on Moscow.