Russia and Ukraine launch biggest drone attacks of the conflict

The surge in fighting occurred despite a reported phone call from Donald Trump urging the Russian President not to escalate the conflict.

One of the weekend’s drone attacks left a home in Odesa, Ukraine, in disarray on Sunday. Picture: AFP

Russia and Ukraine both launched record drone ­attacks on each other overnight on Sunday, despite a reported phone call from Donald Trump urging Russian President Vladimir Putin not to escalate the conflict.

Mr Trump’s election to the White House has the potential to up-end the almost three-year conflict and has thrown into question Washington’s multi­billion-dollar support for Kyiv, crucial to its defence.

The president-elect said on the campaign trail that he could end the fighting within hours and has indicated he will talk ­directly with Putin, a major break from the approach adopted by President Joe Biden.

The Washington Post reported on Sunday that Mr Trump had had a phone call on Thursday with the Russian strongman in which he told Putin not to inflame the attritional war.

Mr Trump reportedly had a phone call on Thursday with the Russian President in which he told Putin not to inflame the attritional war. Picture: AFP

Just days after his stunning election victory over Democratic rival Kamala Harris, Mr Trump reminded Putin of Washington’s sizeable military foothold in ­Europe, according to the Post.

The Kremlin had earlier said it saw “positive signals” from Mr Trump’s willingness to strike a deal, and several people speaking to the paper said Mr Trump had expressed the desire for more conversations on “the resolution of Ukraine’s war soon”.

Mr Trump will not be inaugurated until January and for the moment on the battlefield and in the skies, the conflict shows no signs of subsiding.

Russia fired 145 drones at Ukraine overnight, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said – more than in any single night-time attack of the conflict.

“Last night, Russia launched a record 145 Shaheds and other strike drones against Ukraine,” Mr Zelensky said on social media, urging Kyiv’s Western ­allies to do more to help Ukraine’s defence.

This week, our air defense forces have been working day and night to protect Ukraine’s skies from Russian terror. Last night, Russia launched a record 145 Shaheds and other strike drones against Ukraine. Throughout the week, Russia has used more than 800 guided aerial bombs,… pic.twitter.com/ENhfkUZISX

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) November 10, 2024

Russia also said it had downed 34 Ukrainian attack drones targeting Moscow on Sunday, the largest attempted attack on the capital since the start of the offensive in 2022.

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the White House was to spend its remaining $US6bn of funding for Ukraine before Mr Trump took office, warning of the risks of ending US support for Kyiv.

While having publicly claimed to be backing Ms Harris in the US election, the Kremlin is widely believed to have actually wanted to see Mr Trump return to the White House, welcoming his scepticism over American aid to Ukraine and his chaotic leadership style.

“The signals are positive,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at the weekend.

Russian law enforcement officers inspect the wreckage of a drone in the courtyard of residential buildings, following an attack in the village of Sofyino, Moscow, on November 10, 2024. Picture: AFP

“Trump during his election campaign talked about how he perceives everything through deals, that he can make a deal that can lead to peace.

“At least he’s talking about peace, and not about confrontation. He isn’t talking about his wish to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia – that distinguishes him from the current administration.”

Putin has demanded Ukraine withdraw from swaths of its eastern and southern territory as a precondition to peace talks.

People familiar with Thursday’s call said Mr Trump had briefly raised the question of land with Putin.

Following the election, Mr Zelensky said there should be “no concessions” to Putin. He has also previously said without US aid, Kyiv would lose the war.

AFP