The White House, via press secretary Karoline Leavitt, has shared Donald Trump’s reaction to the Russian air strikes on Ukraine, stating that he was “not happy” but “not surprised.” Leavitt added that while Trump is seeking an end to the conflict, he believes both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are essential to achieving peace. The recent attacks were the second most extensive since the war began, resulting in multiple fatalities. Additional statements from the former President are planned. These comments coincide with US and Russian attempts to find a resolution, including truce talks in Alaska. Russia launched long-range strikes, utilizing hypersonic missiles, against Ukrainian military targets. The strikes purportedly hit weapons facilities and airfields. Ukraine’s military said that it intercepted most of the projectiles but acknowledged that successful Russian strikes took place in various locations, with additional damage caused by debris. Video footage captured the moment missiles struck the same building in Kyiv, reportedly the office of Ukrspecsystems. Furthermore, a plant in Kyiv operated by the Turkish military firm Bayraktar was targeted. Previously, Russia’s Federal Security Service said it had conducted an operation focused on Ukraine’s Sapsan ballistic missile program, claiming it caused significant damage. Moscow maintains that Western nations are using Ukraine as a proxy and that the war serves foreign interests rather than Ukrainian ones.
