Three dead in 'massive' Russian strike on Ukraine as Trump warns Kremlin of 'big trouble' after Estonia airspace violation

The Ukrainian president shared the update in a post on X as Russia's devastating war on Ukraine continues.

Three people were killed and dozens injured in the shelling, as Russia launched 40 missiles – cruise and ballistic – and about 580 drones of various types, according to Zelenskyy.

"I thank all our warriors who defended the skies throughout the night, and our F-16 pilots, who once again proved their prowess today and effectively countered the cruise missile threat against Ukraine," he wrote.

"The strikes targeted Dnipro and the region, as well as Mykolaiv, Chernihiv, Zaporizhzhia regions, and communities in Poltava, Kyiv, Odesa, Sumy, and Kharkiv regions.

He accused Russia of targeting Ukrainian infrastructure, residential areas and civilian enterprises, and of directly striking an apartment building.

"As of now, we know of dozens of people injured from the shelling, and, unfortunately, 3 people killed. My condolences to their families and loved ones."

"Every such strike is not a military necessity but a deliberate strategy by Russia to terrorize civilians and destroy our infrastructure," he wrote.

"That is why a strong international response is needed. Ukraine has proven it can defend itself and Europe, but for a reliable shield, we must act together: strengthen air defense, increase weapons supplies, and expand sanctions against Russia’s military machine and the sectors that finance it.

"Every restriction on Russia saves lives. I thank everyone who helps and supports us."

Russia has been displaying more brazen behaviour, as two of its military jets violated Estonia's airspace - triggering a response from its NATO allies.

Estonia’s foreign ministry said three Russian jets entered its air space without permission on Friday and remained there for 12 minutes, the third violation of Nato air space in a little more than a week.

The aircraft were intercepted by Nato jets, a spokesperson for the alliance confirmed, while Estonia summoned Russia’s senior diplomat in Tallinn over the incident.

US president Donald Trump said there "could be big trouble" after the incident.

Asked if it signalled a "threat to Nato" while signing executive orders in the Oval Office, Trump said: "I don't love it. I don't like it when that happens. It could be big trouble."

Yvette Cooper wrote on social media: "The UK stands with our Estonian allies, following yet another reckless incursion into NATO airspace by Russia.

"We must continue to increase pressure on Putin, including driving forward the important new economic sanctions announced by the UK & EU in recent days.”

EU high representative for foreign affairs Kaja Kallas described the incident as an "extremely dangerous provocation" which "further escalates tension in the region", and warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin was "testing the West’s resolve".

The Russian Ministry of Defence has denied that the jets entered Estonian airspace, stating that their flights were "conducted in strict compliance with international airspace regulations."

The incursion came 10 days after Russian drones entered Polish airspace and six days after another Russian drone was intercepted flying over Romania.

The Russia-Ukraine war has become the largest and deadliest in Europe since World War II as efforts to reach an end to the violence fail to take hold.

On Thursday Donald Trump, who claimed he would end the war on 'day one' of his second term, said his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin has “really let me down” over his efforts to end the conflict.

The US President told a Chequers press conference he does not regret meeting Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin last month in Alaska.

The meeting to discuss a ceasefire in Ukraine ultimately ended without a deal being made.

Asked by a reporter whether it was a mistake to invite Putin to the table and if he regrets it, Trump replied: “No.” He explained: “Very simply, if the price of oil comes down, Putin is going to drop out.

"He’s going to have no choice, he’s going to drop out of that war.”

The US president admitted he had initially thought the war, which he previously claimed he could end within one day of entering the White House, would have been “the easiest” conflict to settle.

But a peace deal appears to be no closer despite months of Washington-led talks, and Trump’s ultimatums and deadlines for the Russian leader to engage with proposals have passed without obvious consequences.

But though peace talks have stalled, European nations including the UK have ramped up their sanctions against Russia, and the Ukrainian war effort seems to be turning the tide on their eastern neighbours.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “There are a number of European countries which are too reliant on energy from Russia, the UK actually, obviously, has almost got nothing at all, but we do need to bear down and work with our European counterparts here.“

"There are one or two countries, I think, that do need to look again at the question of energy."

Hungary and France continue to import significant amounts of Russian crude oil, despite EU-wide sanctions on the nation.