Ukraine Launches Over 1,000 Drones at Russia Amid Tensions Between Trump and Zelenskyy
On October 18, Ukraine launched more than 1,000 drones in one of the largest aerial attacks of the war against Russian territory. The strikes targeted an oil export terminal and a depot in St. Petersburg, causing fires and casualties on both sides. One person was killed and five others injured in Russia; meanwhile, a woman and at least two others were wounded in Ukraine following separate attacks. The escalation occurred amid growing tensions between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over the handling of sanctions against Russia. Trump announced he would delay new sanctions to avoid pushing Russia away from negotiations, while Zelenskyy criticized the move as strengthening Putin’s position in the war. The two leaders exchanged public remarks on social media and through diplomatic channels. Russia's Defense Ministry claimed it destroyed 1,015 Ukrainian drones across multiple regions, including Crimea and the Black Sea. Despite Trump's earlier announcement of an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, Kyiv reported continued Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure in recent weeks.