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In a significant escalation of hostilities, Russia and Ukraine unleashed unprecedented drone attacks on each other, days after a reported phone call between US president-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This surge in drone warfare comes amid heightened tensions and frequent air raid alerts across Ukraine, with both nations targeting military and civilian infrastructure.

On Monday, Ukrainian authorities sounded air raid alarms throughout most of the country, citing missile threats as Kyiv's air force reported the takeoff of Russian bombers. "Attention! Missile danger throughout Ukraine! MiG-31K takeoff," announced Ukraine's air force on Telegram, underscoring the severity of the situation.

The Washington Post revealed that Trump, just after winning the election against Kamala Harris, called Putin from his Mar-a-Lago estate, advising against further escalation in the conflict. Despite this, both countries have engaged in record-level overnight drone attacks, demonstrating a stark disconnect between diplomatic channels and actions on the ground.

In southern Ukraine, Russian air strikes led to the deaths of at least six individuals. Mykolaiv Governor Vitaly Kim confirmed the fatalities, noting that several residential buildings were set ablaze. In Zaporizhzhia, three more air strikes resulted in one death and multiple injuries, including five children, as reported by the region’s governor Ivan Fedorov.

Adding another layer to the ongoing conflict, Ukraine launched its largest one-night drone offensive, with President Volodymyr Zelensky stating that 145 drones were deployed against Russian targets. Concurrently, Russia claimed to have intercepted 34 Ukrainian drones aimed at Moscow, marking the most extensive drone assault on the capital since the war began in 2022.

The potential policy shift under Trump's upcoming administration has thrown US support for Ukraine into uncertainty. Despite public backing for Harris during the election, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov remarked on the positive signals from Trump’s willingness to negotiate a peace deal. However, he noted the unpredictability of Trump's future actions compared to the current administration.

As Moscow's troops gain more ground, capturing villages in Eastern Ukraine, and as both nations continue their drone offensives, the conflict shows no signs of abating. Ukrainian President Zelensky remains steadfast, urging against any concessions to Russia and emphasizing the critical role of US aid for Ukraine’s defense.

While Trump has hinted at ending the fighting quickly, the terms of such a potential peace deal remain unclear. Meanwhile, intense fighting and drone warfare persist, painting a grim picture of the conflict's trajectory as world leaders grapple with finding a pathway to peace.