Russian attack targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure injures at least 15

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia pounded four Ukrainian cities overnight into Wednesday, injuring at least 15 people in an attack that mostly targeted energy infrastructure, officials said.

The latest bombardment in Russia’s escalating aerial campaign against civilian areas came ahead of a Sept. 2 deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump for the Kremlin to reach a peace deal in the three-year war, under the threat of possible severe Washington sanctions if it doesn’t.

No date has yet been publicly set for a possible third round of direct peace talks between delegations from Russia and Ukraine. Two previous rounds delivered no progress apart from prisoner swaps.

Russia launched 400 Shahed and decoy drones, as well as one ballistic missile, during the night, the Ukrainian air force said. The strikes targeted northeastern Kharkiv, which is Ukraine’s second-largest city, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih in central Ukraine, Vinnytsia in the west and Odesa in the south.

“Russia does not change its strategy,” Zelenskyy said. “To effectively counter this terror, we need a systemic strengthening of defense: more air defense, more interceptors, and more resolve so that Russia feels our response.”

Trump on Monday pledged to deliver more weapons to Ukraine, including vital Patriot air defense systems, and threatened to slap additional sanctions on Russia. It was Trump's toughest stance toward Russian President Vladimir Putin since he returned to the White House nearly six months ago.

But some U.S. lawmakers and European government officials expressed misgivings that the 50-day deadline handed Putin the opportunity to capture more Ukrainian territory before any settlement to end the fighting.

Other U.S. ultimatums to Putin in recent months have failed to persuade the Russian leader to stop his invasion of neighboring Ukraine. Tens of thousands of soldiers have been killed in the war, many of them along the more than 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, and Russian barrages of cities have killed more than 12,000 Ukrainian civilians, the United Nations says.

The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington think tank, said Tuesday that “Putin holds a theory of victory that posits that Russia can achieve its war aims by continuing to make creeping gains on the battlefield indefinitely and outlasting Western support for Ukraine and Ukraine’s ability to defend itself.”

Trump said the U.S. is providing additional weapons for Ukraine but European countries are paying for them. While Ukraine and European officials were relieved at the U.S. commitment after months of hesitation, some hoped Washington might shoulder some of the cost.

“We welcome President Trump’s announcement to send more weapons to Ukraine, although we would like to see the U.S share the burden,” European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Tuesday. “If we pay for these weapons, it’s our support.”

In Brussels on Wednesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed that the European Union set aside 100 billion euros ($116 billion) in aid for Ukraine as part of the bloc’s long-term budget.

The proposed sum, which requires approval by the 27 EU member nations and the European Parliament, is to help Ukraine’s war-battered economy as the country strives for EU membership. The money won’t be spent on military support.

Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

In this photo taken from video distributed by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, a Russian soldier fires a 152 mm howitzer 2A65 Msta-B towards Ukrainian position in an undisclosed location in Ukraine. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

FILE - In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, firefighters try to put out a fire following a Russian attack in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine, Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP, File)

In this photo taken from video distributed by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, a Russian soldier fires a 152 mm howitzer 2A65 Msta-B towards Ukrainian position in an undisclosed location in Ukraine. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

In this photo provided by Ukraine's 65th Mechanized Brigade press service, a local resident walks along the street under an anti-drone net in Orikhiv, Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (Andriy Andriyenko/Ukraine's 65th Mechanized Brigade via AP)

In this photo provided by Ukraine's 65th Mechanized Brigade press service, a local resident walks along the street under an anti-drone net in Orikhiv, Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (Andriy Andriyenko/Ukraine's 65th Mechanized Brigade via AP)

In this photo provided by Ukraine's 65th Mechanized Brigade press service, a local resident rides a bike along the street under an anti-drone net in Orikhiv, Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (Andriy Andriyenko/Ukraine's 65th Mechanized Brigade via AP)

Ukrainian 3rd Assault Brigade recruits train at the polygon in Kyiv region, Ukraine, on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Ukrainian military recruits train at the polygon in the Kyiv region, Ukraine, Wednesday, July 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Ukrainian 3rd Assault Brigade recruits train at the polygon in Kyiv region, Ukraine, on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

A Ukrainian 3rd Assault Brigade recruit trains at the polygon in Kyiv region, Ukraine, on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

In this photo taken from video distributed by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, a Russian soldier fires a 152 mm howitzer 2A65 Msta-B towards Ukrainian position in an undisclosed location in Ukraine. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

FILE - In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, firefighters try to put out a fire following a Russian attack in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine, Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP, File)

In this photo taken from video distributed by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, a Russian soldier fires a 152 mm howitzer 2A65 Msta-B towards Ukrainian position in an undisclosed location in Ukraine. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

In this photo provided by Ukraine's 65th Mechanized Brigade press service, a local resident walks along the street under an anti-drone net in Orikhiv, Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (Andriy Andriyenko/Ukraine's 65th Mechanized Brigade via AP)

In this photo provided by Ukraine's 65th Mechanized Brigade press service, a local resident walks along the street under an anti-drone net in Orikhiv, Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (Andriy Andriyenko/Ukraine's 65th Mechanized Brigade via AP)

In this photo provided by Ukraine's 65th Mechanized Brigade press service, a local resident rides a bike along the street under an anti-drone net in Orikhiv, Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (Andriy Andriyenko/Ukraine's 65th Mechanized Brigade via AP)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 30 points and seven assists, and the Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the short-handed Golden State Warriors for a 131-94 win Friday night.

Stephen Curry sat out because of a left ankle sprain and backcourt mate Jimmy Butler became ill earlier in the day. Draymond Green rested, while Jonathan Kuminga missed the game with back soreness.

That left Steve Kerr's starting lineup as Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Will Richard, Gui Santos and Quinten Post.

Kerr was optimistic Curry would play Saturday against the Jazz.

Gilgeous-Alexander shot 10 for 20 with three 3-pointers and converted all seven of his free throws for his seventh game in the last nine with 30 or more points — and now three straight. He had 38 points on 13-for-21 shooting with five 3-pointers in the last matchup against the Warriors.

Chet Holmgren contributed 15 points and a season-best 15 rebounds — two off his career high — as Oklahoma City (30-5) won a fourth straight following its first two-game skid of the season.

Richard had 13 points and five rebounds, Al Horford and Moody also scored 13 while Pat Spencer dished out 11 assists against the defending champion Thunder, who had lost their previous two road games but also won 124-112 at Golden State exactly a month earlier on Dec. 2.

Richard's 3-pointer with 7:19 left in the second quarter got Golden State within 38-36 before Oklahoma City answered with a 19-0 run to go ahead 64-45 at halftime.

The Warriors had won two straight, five of six and three in a row at home, where they are in a stretch with 10 of 11 at Chase Center.

Thunder: Visit Phoenix on Sunday.

Warriors: Host Utah on Saturday night to complete a back-to-back.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Golden State Warriors forward Gui Santos (15) is fouled by Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski (2) shoots a 3-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) shoots while defended by Golden State Warriors center Trayce Jackson-Davis (32) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) celebrates after making a 3-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)