Kyiv, Ukraine (CNN) — The air in Kyiv was thick with smoke and the smell of explosives on Friday morning after Russia carried out its largest drone attack of the war, just hours after US President Donald Trump said he made “no progress” toward a ceasefire in a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.Ukrainian officials described the assault as one of the worst in the three-year conflict. The attack damaged residential buildings and other structures across Kyiv. Emergency services reported that at least one person was killed and 23 were injured during the 13-hour overnight barrage.According to Ukraine’s air force, they intercepted 476 out of a record 539 Russian drones. Russia also fired 11 cruise and ballistic missiles. Ukrainian officials noted that 60 Russian drones were shot down by Ukraine’s new interceptor drones.Thousands of Kyiv residents spent the night in shelters, including subway stations and parking garages, as explosions echoed throughout the city. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called it an “absolutely horrible and sleepless night,” while President Volodymyr Zelensky described it as one of the largest air attacks Ukraine has faced.Zelensky pointed out that the first air raid sirens sounded almost at the same time media outlets were reporting on the Trump-Putin phone call, saying Russia clearly showed no intention of ending the war.As Kyiv’s air defenses tried to intercept the drones, the city was rocked by repeated explosions. Fires broke out in multiple districts, destroying parts of multi-story buildings, sections of the railway, and five ambulances.The Polish consulate was also damaged. Poland’s Foreign Minister urged the US to resume supplying air defense munitions to Ukraine and to impose new sanctions on Russia.Residents in Kyiv say they have grown used to nightly Russian air attacks. Russia has been launching near-nightly waves of missiles and drones in recent weeks, with a previous record set just five days earlier when 537 drones and missiles were fired.President Trump’s nearly hour-long call with Putin on Thursday ended without progress. Trump said he was frustrated, adding, “I’m not happy about that.” He admitted, “I didn’t make any progress with him today at all.” He planned to speak with Zelensky the next morning.The Kremlin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia pays “close attention” to Trump’s statements. During the call, Putin reportedly reiterated his preference for reaching Russia’s military goals through diplomatic means if possible.Following the attack, Kyiv’s air pollution levels rose sharply, and authorities urged people to stay indoors and avoid ventilating their homes. Those with heart or lung conditions were told to take extra precautions.After the air raid warnings ended, many Kyiv residents criticized Trump for showing weakness towards Russia. One resident, Yuriy, said the timing of the attack right after the Trump-Putin call proves Trump’s unwillingness to help Ukraine.Another resident, Yulia Ryzhkova, said the attacks were clearly connected to the call, arguing that Putin only understands strength and Trump wasn’t demonstrating it. “This is terror, pure and simple,” she said.Meanwhile, the Trump administration has paused some weapons shipments to Ukraine, including air defense missiles, as it reviews US military spending and foreign aid. Trump explained the pause was necessary to protect America’s own stockpiles, but Ukrainian officials worry this will further embolden Russia.Ukraine’s commander of unmanned forces warned Russia could soon launch 1,000 or more drones per day, citing intelligence reports.Since 2022, the US has been Ukraine’s biggest military supporter, providing essential weapons like air defense systems, tanks, and drones. But the return of Trump to the presidency has led to uncertainty about the future of American aid to Ukraine.
