In a defiant message to Moscow, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on Russia to halt its relentless air strikes if it isserious about peace negotiations, following a wave of devastating attacks across Ukraine over the past week.
Speaking via social media on Monday, March 3, 2025, Zelenskyy accused Russia of perpetuating “air terror” against Ukrainian civilians, citing over 1,050 attack drones, nearly 1,300 bombs, and more than 20 missiles launched in the last seven days alone. “If you want talks, don’t target people with ballistic missiles,” he declared, underscoring Kyiv’s position that genuine dialogue cannot coexist with ongoing aggression.
The statement comes as Ukraine reels from a series of Russian strikes, including a drone attack late Sunday night on Kharkiv, the country’s second-largest city, which injured eight people, including a seven-year-old boy and an 80-year-old man. According to Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov, the assault damaged three houses and shattered approximately 150 windows in a multi-storey apartment building. Ukrainian police also reported casualties in the Donetsk and Kherson regions, with two killed and three injured in Donetsk, and five dead plus 13 wounded in Kherson over the past 24 hours. These attacks, part of a broader Russian campaign, have intensified pressure on Ukraine as the war nears its third anniversary.
A Week of Escalation
Reports from the BBC highlight the scale of Russia’s recent offensive, with the Ukrainian military stating it downed 46 of 83 drones launched overnight Sunday into Monday, while 31 others were “lost” and failed to reach their targets. Zelenskyy’s remarks reflect a growing frustration in Kyiv, where officials argue that Russia’s actions contradict any pretense of seeking a negotiated end to the conflict. “Ukraine is fighting for a normal and safe life, which it deserves, for peace – fair and lasting,” Zelenskyy said. “We want this war to end. But Russia doesn’t, and it continues its air terror.”
CNN coverage echoes this sentiment, noting that Zelenskyy’s plea follows a turbulent period diplomatically. Just days ago, he clashed with U.S. President Donald Trump in a heated Oval Office exchange, where Trump accused Zelenskyy of “gambling with World War Three” by refusing to compromise with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The fallout from that meeting, coupled with Ukraine’s exclusion from U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia last month, has left Kyiv wary of being sidelined in peace efforts. Zelenskyy has repeatedly insisted that no deal can be made “behind Ukraine’s back,” a stance reaffirmed in his latest address.
NBC reports further detail the human toll of the strikes, emphasizing the strain on Ukrainian morale. In Kharkiv, residents huddled in damaged apartments as emergency services worked through the night. “It’s another night of explosions, burning houses, and destroyed infrastructure,” Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska wrote on social media, lamenting the relentless assault on civilian life. The network also highlighted Zelenskyy’s call for global unity, with the president urging the international community to “be more united and stronger” to force Russia to cease its attacks.
Russian Opposition Media Weighs In
Russian opposition outlets, such as Meduza and The Moscow Times, offer a contrasting perspective, often critical of the Kremlin’s narrative. Meduza reported on March 3 that Russian military officials have framed the latest strikes as a response to Ukraine’s refusal to negotiate on Moscow’s terms, which include retaining control over occupied territories in eastern and southern Ukraine. An anonymous source within the Russian defense ministry, cited by the outlet, claimed the strikes aim to “weaken Ukraine’s resolve” ahead of potential talks—an assertion that aligns with Putin’s long-standing strategy of leveraging military pressure to extract concessions.
The Moscow Times, meanwhile, noted dissent among some Russian commentators, with exiled journalist Andrey Kolesnikov arguing that the Kremlin’s escalation risks alienating even its domestic supporters. “Putin is doubling down on a war that fewer and fewer Russians understand,” Kolesnikov wrote, pointing to economic strain and growing fatigue as the conflict drags on. However, such voices remain marginalized within Russia,…
