In one of the largest overnight assaults since the war began, Russia launched roughly 614 drones along with ballistic and cruise missiles across Ukraine, killing one person, injuring dozens, and striking an American-owned electronics plant located less than an hour from two NATO borders, officials confirmed Thursday morning.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the attack on the U.S.-owned facility, which was hit by “several” cruise missiles, was “very telling” in light of President Donald Trump’s efforts to pressure Moscow to end its invasion.
“Last night, the Russian army set one of its insane anti-records,” Zelenskyy said. “They targeted civilian infrastructure facilities, residential buildings, and our people.
“Several cruise missiles were lobbed against an American-owned enterprise in Zakarpattia,” he continued, going on to describe the company as “a regular civilian business, supported by American investment, producing everyday items like coffee machines.”
“And yet, it was also a target for the Russians. This is very telling,” Zelenskyy added, per Fox News.
Flex Ltd., an American company headquartered in Austin, Texas, confirmed to Fox News Digital that its facility exclusively produces civilian consumer goods at its global locations. “This facility does not produce, supply, or support any military equipment or defense-related components,” a spokesperson for the company, told the outlet.
In the aftermath of the attack, the spokesperson told Fox that “emergency protocols were executed” and the site was completely evacuated.
“A few employees and contractors were injured, and six individuals remain in hospital and are receiving medical care,” they added. “We are providing them and their families all necessary support during this difficult time.”
The White House did not respond to Fox News Digital’s inquiries about the president’s response to the strike that targeted a U.S. company. But earlier this week, Trump said, “It’s possible that [Putin] doesn’t want to make a deal.”
“We’re going to find out about President Putin in the next couple of weeks,” he added.
NATO leaders have continued to question Russian President Vladimir Putin’s willingness to negotiate in good faith or scale back his war aims — doubts that persisted even after his face-to-face meeting with President Donald Trump in Alaska on Friday.
France, a key supporter of Ukraine, emphasized this point on Thursday. In a statement to Fox News Digital, officials noted that despite Russia’s claims of being “ready to negotiate,” the recent overnight strikes suggest otherwise.
“These attacks, the most massive in a month, illustrate Russia’s lack of any genuine intention to engage seriously in peace talks,” a spokesperson with the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs told Fox News Digital.
“France reiterates its support for President Trump’s initiative in favor of a just and lasting peace and will continue to work with determination alongside Ukraine and its partners,” the spokesperson added.
Last week after Trump met with Putin, the U.S. leader announced that his Russian counterpart agreed to meet with Zelenskyy within the next two weeks. The breakthrough was first reported by Agence France-Presse, which cited German Chancellor Friedrich Merz as the source, Fox News reported.
“The American president spoke with the Russian president and agreed that there would be a meeting between the Russian president and the Ukrainian president within the next two weeks,” Merz told reporters after talks at the White House on Monday, according to AFP.
Zelenskyy, for his part, also signaled he is ready to meet with Putin in hopes of ending the conflict that has raged for nearly four years. “I am prepared to sit down with him if it will bring peace,” he reportedly said.
The development marks the most significant diplomatic opening in years for the war that began with Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Previous attempts by European leaders to coax Putin into face-to-face talks with Zelenskyy have failed.