Andy Park: Russia has unleashed its largest aerial bombardment of Ukraine since the war began in early 2022. More than 800 drones and missiles were fired on cities over the weekend. Kiev endured an 11 hour air raid siren. The attack comes just a day before US President Donald Trump's deadline for a ceasefire, with the president now saying he's ready to impose new economic sanctions on Russia. Luke Radford reports.
Luke Radford: These are not the sounds of a ceasefire. This strike on a bridge over the Dnipro River was a single moment in a barrage that lasted nearly 11 hours. It was Russia's largest aerial bombardment on Ukraine since the war began. More than 800 drones and missiles targeted cities across the country. Residents like Oleksandr Samokish were caught in the middle.
Oleksandr Samokish: I was sleeping. Heard the explosion, the house shook. Got dressed, got out to have a look - trouble. The sixth floor balcony is on fire. My car is damaged - well, just the glass was blown out.
Luke Radford: Nine missiles and 56 drones made it through Ukraine's air defences. One struck a government building in Kiev's centre, but it was civilians who once again bore the brunt of Russia's attack. In the west of the city, rescuers found the body of a baby and its mother in a destroyed apartment building. And in the south-eastern city of Zaporizhia, local resident Ohla survived a close call.
Ohla: I was in the house and as soon as I heard the explosions, I ran into the bathroom. Then my husband stormed in, shut the door behind him and screamed, "Hide!" - I go "run over here to me" and as soon as he sat down - boom, everything got blown out.
Luke Radford: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has vowed to respond to the attacks, but also called on the international community to impose further economic sanctions on Russia.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy: It is important that today there is a broad reaction from partners to this strike. Obviously, Russia is trying to hurt Ukraine, and the strikes are more sudden. This is a clear sign that Putin is testing the world - whether they will put up with it or not.
Luke Radford: For weeks, US President Donald Trump has been threatening to impose sanctions, but he's consistently delayed taking action while pursuing peace talks. With his two-week deadline for a ceasefire about to run out, the US President says he's ready to do more.
Journalist: Are you ready to move to the second phase of sanctions against Russia?
Donald Trump: Yes, I am.
Luke Radford: The sanctions are supposed to be targeted at Russia and countries that purchase its oil. But analysts remain sceptical. Peter Dickinson is the editor of Ukraine Alert at the Atlantic Council and is currently in Kiev.
Peter Dickinson: The big comment in Ukraine at this point when he said I'm ready to move to the second stage everybody said well what was the first stage? There's been some measures against India for example - he actually exempted Russia from the tariffs that he imposed on almost everybody else around the world including most of America's key allies so the idea that he sort of now ready to expand on policies that frankly seem to be imaginary or he's only aware of himself it sort of adds insult to injury almost.
Luke Radford: While the negotiations stagnate, Russia's bombardments are showing no sign of slowing down. Peter Dickinson says the number of drones involved in the attacks has grown substantially.
Peter Dickinson: To put this in context for you, last year a hundred drones would have seemed like a big attack a major attack this summer it went up to sort of four hundred five hundred now last night's eight hundred drones so we're moving toward a thousand drones which presumably we will reach within the next few months.
Andy Park: Peter Dickinson from the Atlantic Council, ending that report by Luke Radford.