Ukraine Faces Unprecedented Aerial Assault Amid Trump’s Criticism of Putin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has denounced the severity of Russian attacks, which come during a fragile peace effort.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that the country has experienced its most substantial aerial attack to date, with Russian forces deploying a staggering 728 drones alongside 13 cruise or ballistic missiles in multiple waves across various cities. This unprecedented strike, which he described as a "telling attack," comes amidst ongoing international efforts to foster a ceasefire—a commitment that Russia appears to be disregarding despite global pleas for peace.

This surge in violence follows a statement from U.S. President Donald Trump, who indicated that the U.S. would resume military support for Ukraine, reversing a recent suspension that had reportedly taken him by surprise. In his remarks to reporters, Trump expressed increasing exasperation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, claiming, "We get a lot of bullshit thrown at us by Putin," suggesting that Putin's amiable approach was deceptive and without substance.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov responded to Trump’s comments with a degree of indifference, noting that such remarks are typical of Trump’s rhetorical style and do not significantly alter Russian strategy. The ongoing dialogue between the two leaders has yet to yield any productive pathways towards a truce, an outcome Trump previously asserted he could achieve quickly.

Previous decisions by the Trump administration to withhold military aid saw Pentagon officials like Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and policy under-secretary Elbridge Colby involved in controversial discussions, although the current reversal of a military aid freeze may lead to the delivery of ten much-needed Patriot missiles to Kyiv. These missiles are critical for counteracting the intensified wave of Russian missile and drone onslaughts that have become a regular occurrence throughout Ukraine.

The recent swarm of attacks targeted multiple locations, with Lutsk— situated 90 kilometers from the Polish border and vital for military and humanitarian logistics—sustaining damage. Explosions also echoed through western Ukrainian cities like Lviv and Rivne.

Despite having held two rounds of ceasefire discussions earlier this year, any future meetings remain uncertain, with neither side optimistic about reaching a diplomatic resolution. The conflict, now approaching its second year since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022, continues to wreak havoc across the nation. Peskov noted, "We are moving forward," suggesting that the realities of the situation are evolving in favor of Russian objectives, leaving Ukrainians to grapple with the ongoing turmoil.