While negotiations continue in search of lasting peace in the Ukraine-Russia war, Russia has once again targeted the Ukrainian energy sector with a massive drone and missile attack on gas and electric infrastructures in several regions.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that the Russian Army launched 67 missiles of various types and 194 drones early this morning, with Ukrainian defenses downing 34 missiles and 100 drones. Additionally, it was revealed that French Mirage 2000 fighters were used for the first time to repel the attack.
The bombings have caused significant material damage to strategic facilities and injured seven people in the regions of Poltava, Kharkiv, and Ternopil, according to Ukrainian authorities.
Energy Minister Herman Galushchenko described this new attack as "energy terrorism", while the Ukrainian state gas company Naftogaz stated that they are working to repair the damages and ensure gas supply across the country as quickly as possible.
Zelensky Calls for Another Air Truce After Latest Russian Attack
Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated on Friday his proposal for a partial ceasefire where both sides commit not to attack each other's rear, following Russia's new massive attack on Ukrainian gas infrastructures using 67 missiles and nearly 200 drones.
"The first step towards achieving real peace must be to force the sole source of this war, which is Russia, to stop attacks like this on life. And this can be effectively controlled. Silence in the skies: prohibition of the use of missiles, long-range drones, and aerial bombs. And silence at sea: real guarantee of normal navigation," wrote the Ukrainian president on his social media.
Zelensky had proposed on Thursday at the European Council an air and sea truce accompanied by the release of prisoners of war from both sides as initial steps towards peace.
Zelensky reiterated his message regarding the latest Russian attack, stating that "Ukraine is ready" to work for peace and urged Russia to "stop the war."
Russia Demands European Arsenal Inclusion in Nuclear Disarmament Dialogue with the US
Furthermore, the Kremlin has demanded the inclusion of European nuclear powers - France and the United Kingdom - in strategic disarmament negotiations with the United States. The Russian Presidency's spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, stated, "It is impossible to exclude European arsenals from the dialogue" on disarmament between Russia and the US, emphasizing the importance of this issue following recent statements by Emmanuel Macron about extending their military umbrella to European allies.
Regarding the dialogue on strategic security between Moscow and Washington, he stressed its necessity for both countries and global security. "It is a topic on the agenda. We believe that dialogue between Russia and the United States on arms control is necessary, especially in terms of strategic stability," he responded to US President Donald Trump, who once again addressed the issue on Thursday.
A few weeks ago, Trump proposed talks on denuclearization to Moscow and Beijing, a proposal supported by Russian leader Vladimir Putin. In contrast, China stated that the US and Russia should lead the responsibility for nuclear disarmament as countries with the largest arsenals.
Kremlin Threatens Response to EU's "Militarization" Plans for Ensuring Security
The Kremlin stated that Russia may need to act in response to what it termed the EU's plans to militarize the bloc, positioning Russia as its main adversary. European leaders endorsed plans on Thursday to spend more on defense and continue supporting Ukraine.
"We see that the European Union is now actively discussing the militarization of the EU and the development of the defense segment. This is a process we are closely monitoring because the EU is positioning Russia as its main adversary," said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, as reported by Reuters.
"This could potentially be a matter of deep concern for us, and there may be a need to take appropriate measures in response to ensure our security," he continued. "And, of course, the confrontational rhetoric we are now seeing in Brussels and European capitals is seriously at odds with the mood to find a peaceful solution around Ukraine."
Emmanuel Macron Responds to Putin, Calling Russia an "Imperialist Revisionist" Power
French President Emmanuel Macron accused Russia of being an "imperialist revisionist" power and its president, Vladimir Putin, of violating peace agreements, after Moscow compared the French leader to Napoleon for offering to extend his nuclear umbrella to European allies.
"It is a historical contradiction: Napoleon made conquests, and the only imperial power I see in Europe now is called Russia. It is a revisionist imperialist of history and the identity of peoples," Macron said on Thursday at a press conference following the extraordinary EU leaders' summit in Brussels.
Ukraine Uses French Mirage Planes for the First Time to Repel Russian Attack
The Ukrainian Air Force used French Mirage 2000 fighters for the first time to repel a massive Russian aerial attack on its territory, as reported by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on Friday.
"The enemy's aerial attack was repelled by missile system units, electronic warfare means, and mobile groups of the Air Force and Ukrainian Armed Forces. Combat aircraft, specifically F-16 and Mirage 2000, also participated," read the official statement.
The report added that the French planes arrived in Ukraine just a month ago and "participated for the first time in repelling an enemy aerial attack."
Russia Used 67 Missiles and 194 Drones in Attack on Gas Sector
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that the Russian Army launched 67 missiles of various types and 194 drones in a combined attack on Ukrainian gas infrastructures overnight.
Of the missiles launched, 34 were downed by Ukrainian air defenses, which also intercepted 100 attack drones.
Of the total drones launched by Russia, 86 unmanned aircraft without explosive payloads - used to confuse enemy defenses - fell without causing damage. Of the downed missiles, 33 were cruise missiles and one was a guided missile. Russia also launched three Iskander ballistic missiles, 4 S-300 anti-aircraft missiles, and 7 Kh-59 and Kh-69 guided missiles that could not be intercepted.
Orbán Accuses EU of Wanting War in Ukraine, Not Trump's "Peace"
Hungary's Prime Minister, the ultranationalist Viktor Orbán, stated on Friday that the other 26 EU countries have approved continuing the war in Ukraine and opposing what he called Donald Trump's peace strategy. "The 26 EU countries have armed themselves against the United States, so that there is no peace, but to convince Ukrainians, and themselves, that it makes sense to continue the war," he said in remarks to public radio Kossuth.
The Hungarian Prime Minister distanced himself from his EU partners at the meeting of heads of government and state held yesterday, vetoing the issuance of a joint document supporting Ukraine, attacked by Russia three years ago.
He also reiterated that by supporting Ukraine, the EU has incurred very high expenses. According to the Prime Minister, all EU partners have committed to supporting the Ukrainian army, maintaining the country's sovereignty, financing its integration into the EU, and strengthening European common defense. "If they do this, we will run out of every last penny," he stated.
Naftogaz: "We are Working to Mitigate the Effects of the Attack"
The president of the Ukrainian state gas company Naftogaz, Roman Chumak, stated in a release that the company is working to repair the damages from Russian bombings and ensure gas supply across the country as quickly as possible.
"Work to mitigate the effects of the attack and damage assessment is currently underway," said Chumak, thanking sector workers for their efforts "under extremely difficult conditions."
According to Naftogaz, this marks the seventeenth Russian attack on its infrastructures since the start of the war.