In a dramatic escalation, Russia unleashed a significant assault on Ukraine overnight, coinciding with ongoing diplomatic discussions between Ukraine and the United States in Florida this week.

The offensive involved the deployment of 653 drones and 51 missiles throughout Ukraine, resulting in the injury of eight individuals, according to reports from Ukrainian officials.

In response to these aggressive acts, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his condemnation through a post on X, stating, “We must continue to put pressure on Russia to force it towards peace.” His words underscore the need for continued international efforts to curb the conflict.

Looking ahead, Macron announced his intention to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, along with their British and German counterparts, in London on Monday to further strategize on the situation.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Fire Point’s Flamingo missiles were inspected on Thursday, showcasing Ukraine’s ongoing defensive preparations. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

Zelenskyy said on Saturday that he had a “substantive phone call” with American officials involved in the talks with the Ukrainian delegation in Miami.

U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff on Friday shared a readout of the talks, which also included President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

The readout called the talks “constructive discussions on advancing a credible pathway toward a durable and just peace in Ukraine.”

“American and Ukrainian parties underscored that an end to the war and credible steps toward ceasefire and de-escalation are necessary to prevent renewed aggression and to enable Ukraine’s comprehensive redevelopment plan, designed to make the nation stronger and more prosperous than before the war.”

People gather in Kyiv on Saturday during a blackout caused by Russia’s ongoing strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.  (Maxym Marusenko/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Following Russia’s Friday night barrage, Ukraine’s air force said 29 locations were hit, and the military was able to shoot down 585 drones and 30 missiles.

Three of the eight wounded were hurt in the Kyiv region, local officials reported.

The “massive’ attack also targeted power stations in the country and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant temporarily lost power overnight, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant seen in 2022.  (Carl Court/Getty Images)

Zaporizhzhia is under Russian control and not in use, but it needs power to cool its shutdown reactors to prevent a catastrophic incident.

Zelenskyy said that a drone strike had also “burned down” the train station in the city of Fastiv, near Kyiv.

In retaliatory strikes, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces later said Ukrainian forces said its military hit Russia’s Ryazan Oil Refinery.