Tensions between Russia and Ukraine escalated overnight as both sides unleashed a wave of aerial attacks, with over 100 enemy drones reported flying over their respective territories. The surge in hostilities comes just a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin met with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss a proposed 30-day ceasefire—raising doubts about whether peace talks will hold.

Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russia launched 178 drones and two ballistic missiles in a large-scale attack, primarily targeting energy infrastructure in the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions. Ukrainian forces managed to shoot down 130 drones, while others failed to reach their targets. Despite air defense efforts, several energy facilities sustained significant damage, leaving residents without electricity.

Meanwhile, falling drone debris in Russia’s Volgograd region ignited a fire near a Lukoil oil refinery, forcing temporary flight suspensions at nearby airports. No casualties were reported, but local authorities remained on high alert. The refinery has been a frequent target of Ukrainian strikes since the war began.

During a press conference on Thursday, President Putin expressed his willingness to consider a ceasefire but emphasized that certain "details" must be clarified before any agreement is finalized. Ukraine, which has already endorsed the ceasefire proposal, remains skeptical about Russia’s true intentions.

Speaking in Kyiv after virtual discussions with Western allies hosted by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated his support for a full ceasefire but warned that Russia might attempt to derail negotiations with conditions and delays.

“The buildup of Russian forces indicates that Moscow intends to keep ignoring diplomacy,” Zelenskyy stated on Saturday. “It is clear that Russia is prolonging the war.”

He further warned that if Moscow rejected the U.S. ceasefire proposal, the Biden administration would issue a “specific, harsh, and straightforward” response.

Battlefield Updates: Ukraine Holds Position in Kursk Region

In a separate development, Zelenskyy dismissed claims made by former U.S. President Donald Trump that thousands of Ukrainian troops had been surrounded by Russian forces in Russia’s Kursk region.

“Our forces continue operations in the designated areas of the Kursk region,” he stated. “There is no encirclement of our troops.”

With continued strikes and rising geopolitical tensions, the likelihood of an immediate ceasefire remains uncertain. As Western leaders push for diplomatic resolutions, both Russia and Ukraine show no signs of de-escalation—keeping the war on a dangerous trajectory.