Russia launches third consecutive night of airstrikes on Ukraine, Trump blasts Putin as "Absolutely CRAZY," Criticizes Zelenskiy

Russia carried out airstrikes across Ukraine for a third consecutive night, Ukrainian regional officials and emergency services reported, just a day after the war’s largest aerial assault killed at least 12 people and drew sharp condemnation from U.S. President Donald Trump.

In Kyiv, an air raid alert lasted for six hours, according to Tymur Tkachenko, head of the city's military administration. One city district sustained damage, but no casualties were reported.

The broader Kyiv region also faced a combined missile and drone attack, with three districts reportedly affected, the regional military administration said.

No official comment has been issued by Russia, which continues to refer to its invasion as a “special military operation.”

Further south, Russian drone strikes caused significant damage in Ukraine’s Odesa region, destroying a 100-square-meter residential building and sparking fires that were later extinguished, according to the country’s emergency services. Regional governor Oleh Kiper confirmed that a 14-year-old boy was injured in the attack.

In the western region of Khmelnytskyi, far from the front lines, combined Russian strikes damaged private homes and businesses. Preliminary reports indicated no civilian casualties, the local governor said.

In northeastern Ukraine, explosions were heard in Kharkiv and surrounding areas as Russian forces targeted the city, according to the regional governor.

Meanwhile, in the central Cherkasy region, authorities reported intercepting and neutralizing 25 Russian drones overnight. No injuries or property damage were reported.

 U.S. President Donald Trump condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin for launching the largest aerial assault of the war on Ukraine, calling the Russian leader “absolutely CRAZY.” He also suggested new sanctions against Moscow may be on the table, while directing criticism at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Posting on Truth Social as Ukrainians endured a third consecutive night of heavy drone and missile attacks, Trump wrote:
"Something has happened to him (Putin). He has gone absolutely CRAZY! I've always said that he wants ALL of Ukraine, not just a piece of it... if he does, it will lead to the downfall of Russia!"

However, Trump also took aim at Zelenskiy, claiming the Ukrainian president's rhetoric was counterproductive.
"He is doing his country no favours by talking the way he does... everything out of his mouth causes problems. I don't like it, and it better stop," Trump posted.

The Kremlin responded cautiously to Trump’s remarks, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov saying the comments likely reflected “emotional overload” amid a critical moment in the war. He expressed appreciation for any U.S. efforts to promote peace negotiations.

Zelenskiy, in his nightly address, refrained from directly addressing Trump’s criticism but condemned Russia's actions, saying they were politically motivated and lacked military justification.
"This is an obvious political choice – a choice by Putin, a choice by Russia – to continue the war and destroy lives," he said.

He added that the scale of attacks, which included over 900 drones and missiles over three nights, revealed that Russia was "playing with diplomacy" and called for maximum international pressure to restrict Moscow’s military capabilities.

The latest Russian assault targeted several regions across Ukraine, including Kyiv, Odesa, Kharkiv, Cherkasy, and Khmelnytskyi – the latter home to the Starokostiantyniv air base, which Russia claimed was hit. Officials said residential and industrial buildings were damaged, and a 14-year-old boy was injured in Odesa.

Speaking to reporters in New Jersey, Trump reiterated his concern:
"I don't know what's wrong with him (Putin)... he's killing a lot of people. I'm not happy about that."

Trump also hinted at the possibility of additional sanctions against Russia in light of the latest attacks.

The overnight barrage, which Ukrainian officials say involved at least 367 drones and missiles, killed 12 people, including three children in Zhytomyr. It was the most extensive aerial offensive of the war to date in terms of volume, though not the deadliest.

Ukraine has responded with its own drone strikes, some reaching Moscow and temporarily shutting down airports there.

While Trump continues to press both sides toward negotiations to end the war, the conflict has only escalated, with Russian forces advancing in eastern Ukraine. European leaders, frustrated by Trump’s reluctance to fully back their position, hope his recent outrage might prompt stronger U.S. action.

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed hope that Trump’s sharp remarks would translate into concrete measures, including new sanctions that could deter further Russian aggression.

Russia maintains that its actions are part of a "special military operation" to protect itself from NATO expansion, while Ukraine and its allies view the invasion as an unprovoked act of aggression.