Ukraine has said that eight civilians were killed in Russian drone and bombing attacks in the war-scarred Donetsk region in the east of the country.
Prosecutors said five civilians were killed in drone attacks on private vehicles in the town of Rodynske, while three more people were killed some ten minutes later in Kostiantynivka, a town that Russian forces are closing in on.
Russia pummelled Ukraine with its largest missile and drone attack in more than three years of war, claiming to have targeted an airfield in a region bordering EU and NATO member Poland.
The strike comes after US Donald Trump said he would ramp up arms deliveries to Ukraine and accused his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin of talking "bulls**t" on Ukraine.
Explosions were heard ringing out in Kyiv, and drones buzzing over the capital during the barrage after air raid sirens sounded.
The latest strike, which regional officials said killed one civilian in the Khmelnytsky region, beat a previous Russian record of 550 drones and missiles set last week.
The air force said Russia attacked with 728 drones and 13 missiles, adding that its air defence systems intercepted 711 drones and destroyed seven missiles.
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"This is a telling attack - and it comes precisely at a time when so many efforts have been made to achieve peace, to establish a ceasefire, and yet only Russia continues to rebuff them all," President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on social media.
Mr Zelensky, who arrived in Rome for meetings with the pope and president, called for allies to step up sanctions on Russia, particularly targeting its energy sector - an important revenue stream for the Russian war chest.
Peace talks at the Vatican discussed
Mr Zelensky met with Pope Leo XIV on the eve of an international conference in Rome on rebuilding his war-torn country.
The two men discussed "the urgent need for a just and lasting peace", a Vatican statement said, while Mr Zelensky thanked the Holy See for its efforts to help Ukraine get back thousands of children allegedly abducted to Russia.
Both sides raised again the possibility of the Vatican hosting peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv - an idea dismissed by Russia in May.
Mr Zelensky was later due to meet with Keith Kellogg, US President Donald Trump's envoy for Ukraine and Russia who is also attending the Ukraine Recovery Conference tomorrow and Friday in Rome.
The meeting is aimed at mobilising support - including private investment - for the reconstruction of Ukraine, even as Russia steps up its attacks.
US support for Kyiv has stalled since Mr Trump took office in January.
The meeting between Mr Zelensky and Pope Leo was their second private audience since the pontiff became the first American to lead the worldwide Catholic Church in May.
It took place at the pope's summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, on the edge of a lake south of Rome, where he is taking a break until 20 July.
"During the cordial conversation, the importance of dialogue as the preferred means of ending hostilities was reaffirmed," the Vatican said in a statement afterwards.
"The Holy Father expressed his sorrow for the victims and renewed his prayers and closeness to the Ukrainian people, encouraging every effort aimed at the release of prisoners and the search for shared solutions.
"The Holy Father reiterated the willingness to welcome representatives of Russia and Ukraine to the Vatican for negotiations."
Speaking briefing to reporters after the talks, Mr Zelensky thanked the Vatican for its efforts "to get back our children".
Speaking in English, he added: "We want peace... we count on the Vatican and His Holiness (to) help us with the place" for a high-level meeting of leaders "to finish this war."
