Trump’s ‘peace deal’ in tatters as Russian missiles slaughter 24 in Kyiv, and Zelenskyy’s response just leveled one of Putin’s biggest refineries
An eye for an eye.
Donald Trump’s so-called peace deal is unraveling fast after Russian missiles obliterated a Kyiv apartment block, killing 24 people including three children. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy didn’t waste time retaliating, launching a massive drone strike that just leveled one of Russia’s biggest oil refineries. The exchange marks a brutal escalation in a war that’s now entering its fifth year, and the fallout is already reshaping the ceasefire brokered by the U.S.
According to Al Jazeera, the Thursday, May 14, 2026, attack on Kyiv was part of Russia’s largest aerial assault since the war began. Ukraine’s air force confirmed the strike targeted a nine-story apartment building in the Darnytskyi district, leaving entire families buried under rubble. Zelenskyy called the attack a deliberate act of terror, and he made it clear Ukraine wouldn’t stand idle.
By Friday, Ukrainian drones were already hammering Russian energy and military sites, including a major refinery in Ryazan. The regional governor reported at least four deaths, including a child, in the retaliatory strikes.
Zelenskyy didn’t hold back in his response
During a meeting with top military and intelligence officials, he called Russia’s attacks “entirely justified” to target, framing the strikes as a necessary defense against Moscow’s aggression. He also accused Russia of plotting attacks on over 20 Ukrainian decision-making centers, including his own office and state residence. The warning came as Kyiv observed a day of mourning, with flags flying at half-mast and residents grappling with the aftermath of the deadly strike.
The timing couldn’t be worse for Trump’s peace efforts. Just last week, the U.S. President brokered a three-day ceasefire that included a prisoner swap, with both sides exchanging 205 prisoners of war each. The deal was supposed to be a confidence-building measure, with plans to eventually swap 1,000 prisoners on each side.
Footage of the exchange showed emotional reunions, with Ukrainian soldiers wrapped in flags shouting “Glory to Ukraine” as they stepped off buses. Russian troops, meanwhile, were seen cheering as they returned home. The remains of fallen soldiers were also exchanged, with Russia handing over 526 bodies in return for 41 of its own.
The prisoner swap itself was part of a broader effort to de-escalate tensions. Zelenskyy celebrated the return of Ukrainian soldiers, thanking the U.S. for its role in facilitating the exchange. Russian soldiers were also seen returning home, draped in flags and celebrating their release.
But the goodwill didn’t last
Putin claimed the war was nearing its end, a statement his spokesperson later echoed. Zelenskyy dismissed the remarks outright, calling them empty posturing. Trump, who had made ending the war a centerpiece of his 2024 campaign, admitted the latest strike was a major setback.
“It’s one that we’d like to see settled,” he said. “Until last night, it was looking good, but they took a big hit last night. So it’s gonna happen. But it’s a shame.” His comments reflect the growing frustration on all sides, with peace talks stalled and neither country willing to back down.
Negotiations to end the war have hit a wall, with territory remaining the biggest sticking point. Russia has demanded Ukraine surrender the remaining 20% of Donetsk that its forces haven’t captured, a non-starter for Kyiv. Ukraine, in turn, has insisted on security guarantees from Western allies to prevent future Russian attacks.
Trump has publicly pressured Zelenskyy to make concessions, saying the Ukrainian leader “has to get on the ball, and he has to get a deal done.” He also claimed Putin was “ready to make a deal,” a statement that drew criticism for placing more blame on Ukraine than Russia.
Zelenskyy said Kyiv’s priority is ending the war but only on terms that protect Ukraine’s sovereignty
In a social media post, he emphasized that diplomacy would continue, but only when the U.S. was ready to engage in bilateral and trilateral talks with Russia. The message was clear: Ukraine isn’t backing down, and neither is Russia. The latest strikes prove that both sides are still willing to escalate, even as the death toll climbs and the humanitarian crisis worsens.
The drone attack on the Ryazan refinery is a major blow to Russia’s energy infrastructure, and it’s likely just the beginning. Zelenskyy has made it clear that Ukraine will keep hitting back, targeting military and economic sites deep inside Russian territory. The refinery was one of the largest in the country, and its destruction will have ripple effects on Russia’s fuel supply.
For now, the war is stuck in a brutal cycle of attack and retaliation, with no end in sight. The ceasefire may have bought some time, but it’s clear that neither side is ready to lay down its arms.
(Featured image: The White House)
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