- At least 8 people were killed in fresh Russian drone strikes across Ukraine on April 25, 2025
- These attacks came despite US President Trump's public plea for Putin to "STOP!" the attacks
- A previous bombardment on April 24 killed 12 people in Kyiv
- Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff is heading to Moscow for peace talks
- Tensions exist between Trump and Zelensky over potential recognition of Russian control of Crimea
Russia hit Ukraine with deadly drone strikes again, even after US President Donald Trump asked Putin to stop. The attacks killed people in many parts of Ukraine. This is the second big attack in two days, and folks are worried the war is getting worse again.
Recent Russian Strikes on Ukraine
Russia attacked Ukraine again last night, killin at least eight people with drones. This attack happened right after Trump told Putin to stop. The city of Pavlohrad in eastern Ukraine got hit hard. Three people died there, includin a 76-year-old woman and a child. Ten other people got hurt.
In the south, Russian strikes hit Kherson. They bombed important buildings and homes. Two people died there. The attacks didn't stop there. Two more people died in Donetsk region in the east, and one person was killed in Kharkiv in the northeast.
These new attacks came after a really bad day on Thursday when Russia launched its deadliest attack since mid-2024. That attack mostly hit Kyiv, the capital city. Twelve people died and 87 were hurt. Ukrainian emergency teams had to dig through broken buildings to find people.
Ukrainian officials said Russia used a North Korean ballistic missile in Thursday's attack. This shows how Russia is gettin help from other countries for its weapons.
Trump's Response and "Vladimir, STOP!" Plea
President Trump got really mad about the attacks. He posted on his Truth Social account, directly telling Putin to "STOP!" the attacks. Trump said he was "not happy" about how the peace talks are going. He wants the war to end fast.
But Trump seems to be sending mixed messages. Just hours after his angry post, he said he thinks both Russia and Ukraine want peace. This back-and-forth talk makes it hard to know what will happen next.
Trump's special peace person, Steve Witkoff, is goin to Moscow to talk with Putin. They want to make a deal to end the war. Trump's approach to international negotiations has been different from past presidents, with more direct messages to world leaders.
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia is "ready to reach a deal," when he talked to CBS News. But he also said there are still some things that need to be "fine-tuned." This means they don't agree on everything yet.
Impact on Ukrainian Cities
The attacks hurt regular people and damaged homes across Ukraine. In Pavlohrad, the drone strike hit a residential area. The 76-year-old woman and child who died weren't soldiers or politicians - just normal people caught in the war.
Ukrainian emergency teams are working hard to help people. They finished looking for survivors in a bombed apartment building in Kyiv. Many people lost their homes or got hurt. Hospitals are taking care of the wounded.
These attacks on towns and cities show that Russia is not just targeting military spots. They're hitting places where normal people live, work, and go to school. This makes life very hard for Ukrainians.
The attacks also damaged what experts call "critical infrastructure." This means important things like power plants, water systems, and heating. With these damaged, people might not have electricity or clean water.
Peace Negotiations Status
Peace talks are happening, but they're not going well. Trump wants to make a deal fast, but there are big problems to solve. One main issue is what happens to land Russia took from Ukraine.
Russia took control of Crimea in 2014 and parts of eastern Ukraine since 2022. They want to keep this land as part of any peace deal. Ukraine wants its land back. This makes it hard to agree.
Trump's team is trying something new. Sources told CNN that the US might recognize Crimea as part of Russia. This would be a big change from what the US has said for ten years. European allies are very worried about this idea, because it might encourage other countries to take land by force.
As Steve Witkoff heads to Moscow for talks, many people are watching to see if any progress happens. But with attacks still going on, peace seems far away.
Trump-Zelensky Tensions Over Crimea
Trump and Ukraine's President Zelensky are not getting along well right now. They've been arguin publicly about peace terms. This week, Trump got mad at Zelensky because the Ukrainian president said recognizing Russian control of Crimea is against Ukraine's constitution.
Trump seems to think Zelensky is making peace harder to reach. But for Zelensky, giving up Crimea would be a huge loss. It would also be hard to explain to Ukrainian people who have been fighting for their land.
The impact of these tensions goes beyond just the two leaders. It affects how other countries see the conflict and whether they'll keep helping Ukraine. Some worry that Trump might force Ukraine to accept a bad deal.
Trump has said he's being tough on Putin too. When reporters asked what Russia has given up in negotiations, Trump said: "Stopping the war, stopping taking the whole country. Pretty big concession." But many experts say this isn't really a concession since Russia never controlled all of Ukraine anyway.
International Reactions
Countries around the world are watching these events closely. European leaders are worried about Trump's approach. They don't want borders changed by force because this could lead to more conflicts in the future.
The United Nations has called for an end to attacks on civilians. Aid groups are working to help people hurt by the war. But without a real peace deal, the help they can give is limited.
Some countries have sent weapons to Ukraine, while others have given money and supplies. But everyone knows that only peace talks can truly end the war. The question is whether a fair deal can be reached that both sides will accept.
Business leaders are also concerned about the continued fighting. The war has caused problems for global trade, energy prices, and food supplies. Many companies want stability so they can plan for the future.
What This Means for Ukraine's Future
After three years of war, Ukraine has suffered a lot. Cities are damaged, thousands of people have died, and millions have had to leave their homes. Even if peace comes tomorrow, rebuilding will take many years.
The talks between Trump, Putin, and Zelensky will decide what Ukraine looks like in the future. Will it keep all its land? Will it join groups like NATO or the European Union? These questions remain unanswered.
Technology companies are involved too, helping Ukraine with things like satellite internet and cyber defense. But technology alone can't stop bombs and missiles.
For regular Ukrainians, the most important thing is safety. They want to live without fear of attacks. They want to rebuild their homes and communities. But as long as missiles keep falling, this dream seems far away.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people died in the recent Russian attacks?
At least 8 people were killed in the April 25 drone strikes, and 12 people died in the April 24 bombardment, for a total of 20 deaths in two days.
What is Trump doing to stop the war?
Trump has publicly asked Putin to stop attacks and sent his special envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow for peace talks. He's also considering recognizing Russian control of Crimea as part of a peace deal.
Why are Trump and Zelensky arguing?
They disagree about what Ukraine should give up for peace. Zelensky says recognizing Russian control of Crimea is against Ukraine's constitution, while Trump seems to think Ukraine should make this concession.
Did Russia use North Korean weapons?
Ukrainian authorities claim that Russia used a North Korean ballistic missile in its April 24 attack on Kyiv.
What happens if Russia keeps control of Crimea?
If the world recognizes Russian control of Crimea, it could change international rules about taking territory by force. Many countries worry this could lead to more conflicts worldwide.
How has the war affected regular Ukrainians?
The war has killed thousands of civilians, damaged homes and infrastructure, and forced millions to flee. Even those who stayed face power outages, water shortages, and the constant threat of attacks.
Are peace talks likely to succeed?
It's hard to say. Russia and Ukraine want very different things, and finding middle ground has been difficult. Trump is pushing hard for a deal, but major disagreements remain.
What do European countries think about Trump's approach?
Many European leaders are concerned about Trump's willingness to recognize Russian control of Crimea, as they believe this undermines the principle that borders shouldn't be changed by force.