Ukraine reports largest Russian aerial attack as Russia accused of using chemical weapons

Kiev announced on Friday that Russia had carried out its largest overnight aerial assault since the start of the over three-year-long invasion. Yuriy Ignat, aspokesman for Ukraine’s air force, said Russia launched a record 550 drones and missiles in a single attack, calling it “the largest number the enemy has used at once.”

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister said the massive strike came just after a call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing Moscow of deliberately undermining peace efforts. “Right after Putin spoke with President Trump. And he does it on purpose. Enough of waiting! Putin clearly shows his complete disregard for the United States and everyone who has called for an end to the war,” Andriy Sybiga posted on social media.

According to Ukraine’s air force, Russia launched 539 drones and 11 missiles overnight, of which air defense forces shot down 268 drones and two missiles.

Trump, meanwhile, said he made no progress with Putin on ending the war during their Thursday call. He told reporters: “It was a pretty long call, we talked about a lot of things including Iran and the war with Ukraine. And I’m not happy about that.” Asked whether he moved closer to a peace deal, Trump replied: “No, I didn’t make any progress with him at all.”

This unusually pessimistic assessment contrasted with Trump’s earlier calls with Putin since resuming office in January, where he had repeatedly expressed optimism about reaching a deal. Recently, however, Trump has voiced growing frustration with Putin, especially after rejecting the Russian leader’s offer to mediate in the Iran-Israel conflict, urging him instead to focus on Ukraine.

The Kremlin said the nearly hour-long call saw Putin reiterate his refusal to abandon Russia’s goals in Ukraine. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov stated, “Our president said that Russia will achieve the aims it set, namely the elimination of the root causes that led to the current situation. Russia will not give up on these aims.”

Moscow has long demanded that Kiev abandon its NATO aspirations, citing them as a primary cause of the war. Despite the continued fighting, Putin told Trump that Russia remains open to negotiations: “He also spoke of the readiness of the Russian side to continue the negotiation process,” Ushakov said.

Nevertheless, Moscow has refused to agree to a U.S.-backed ceasefire for months. Kiev and Western allies accuse Putin of deliberately prolonging negotiations while advancing Russian positions on the ground.

The Kremlin also said Putin stressed to Trump the importance of resolving Middle East conflicts diplomatically, days after U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

The Trump-Putin call came shortly after Washington announced it would pause some weapons deliveries to Ukraine — a significant blow to Kiev, which relies heavily on Western military aid. On Thursday, Russian strikes killed at least eight people across Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Denmark that same day to meet top EU officials. Speaking in Copenhagen, Zelensky emphasized that uncertainty over U.S. military support makes closer cooperation with the EU and NATO even more critical. He reiterated Ukraine’s support for Trump’s “unconditional ceasefire” proposal. A senior Ukrainian official said Trump and Zelensky planned to speak on Friday.

Meanwhile, Kiev sought clarification from Washington over the implications of the paused weapons shipments. “Continued American support for Ukraine, for our defense, for our people is in our common interest,” Zelensky said Wednesday.

Russia continues to call for Western countries to halt arms supplies to Kiev.

Separately, Dutch and German intelligence agencies announced they had gathered evidence of widespread Russian use of banned chemical weapons in Ukraine. This includes using drones to disperse choking agents, forcing Ukrainian soldiers from trenches so they can be targeted. Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans called for tougher sanctions, saying: “The main conclusion is that we can confirm Russia is intensifying its use of chemical weapons. This trend is deeply concerning.”

Germany’s BND intelligence service confirmed the findings, obtained in cooperation with Dutch counterparts. The head of the Dutch Military Intelligence Agency (MIVD), Peter Reesink, said their independent investigations corroborated the evidence.

Reuters could not independently verify these claims. The U.S. first accused Russia of using chloropicrin — a chemical more toxic than riot control agents — in May last year. Ukraine alleges thousands of instances of Russian chemical weapons use. Russia’s defense ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment, but Moscow has previously denied such allegations and accused Ukraine of similar actions, which Kiev has rejected.

Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for Russia’s foreign ministry, claimed on Wednesday that Russian security forces found Ukrainian explosive devices containing chloropicrin in eastern Ukraine — a charge Kiev denies.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said last year that initial accusations by both sides lacked sufficient evidence and it has not been formally asked to investigate. The OPCW can only launch a full probe if requested by member states.

Brekelmans said at least three Ukrainian deaths were linked to chemical attacks, with over 2,500 battlefield injuries showing chemical-related symptoms. He warned that Russia’s growing use of chemical agents poses a broader threat beyond Ukraine.

He called for increased sanctions and proposed barring Russia from international bodies like the OPCW’s Executive Council. Reesink described Russia’s actions as part of a “large-scale program,” with evidence of ramped-up chemical weapons research, recruitment of scientists, and systematic instructions to troops on deploying toxic agents. “This isn’t just ad-hoc tinkering at the front — it is a coordinated program,” Reesink said, adding that Russia’s forces are using improvised munitions like gas-filled lightbulbs and modified canisters dropped from drones.

Chloropicrin, a banned choking agent under the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention, can cause severe irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract, leading to burns, nausea, and breathing difficulties.