Key Points and Summary: Russia unleashed its largest aerial assault on Ukraine since the 2022 invasion, launching over 700 drones and missiles at the capital just hours after a “disappointing” phone call between President Trump and Vladimir Putin.
-The brutal, eight-hour barrage, which injured at least 23 civilians, prompted an abrupt policy reversal from Trump, who, after recently pausing arms shipments, announced the US would resume sending “defensive weapons” to Ukraine.
-The attack underscores Russia’s escalating aggression and Ukraine’s critical dependence on Western air defense systems, even as diplomatic efforts to end the war remain stalled.
Ukraine Hit with Record Drone Barrage After Trump Rows with Putin
Ukraine was hit with the largest barrage of Russian drones yet this week, mere hours after President Donald Trump slammed Vladimir Putin on the world stage.
100s of Drones Aimed at Ukraine
In the early hours of Wednesday, Ukraine faced a record-breaking assault: 728 Shahed drones and 13 missiles, including six Kinzhal hypersonic and seven Iskander-K cruise missiles, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. Kyiv claimed to have shot down 718 drones, but damage reports from several regions suggest that some got through.
President Volodymyr Zelensky called the overnight attack a brutal message at a time when global efforts are pushing for a ceasefire. “This is a telling attack—and it comes precisely at a time when so many efforts have been made to achieve peace,” he posted on X.
NATO member Poland, which borders Ukraine to the northwest, used its fighter jets to secure its airspace during the attack.
Under NATO’s Article 5, an armed attack on one member would prompt a joint response from all 32 member states.
Moscow Boasts on Ukraine Attacks
Early Wednesday, Moscow’s defense ministry boasted that it had hit all intended targets in its “high-precision” campaign on Ukraine’s airfields.
Just a day earlier, Trump told reporters he was growing frustrated with Putin, accusing him of delivering “a lot of *******” and saying a recent phone call had left him “very disappointed.” While Trump has long claimed he can bring peace to Ukraine, his tone has shifted noticeably.
“He’s very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless,” Trump said at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
Weapons Pause Reversed
Trump had recently paused a shipment of Patriot missile systems to Ukraine over concerns about U.S. stockpiles, but reversed that decision amid criticism. He now says more defensive weapons will be sent, though Kyiv and its European allies are urging him to go further—with tougher sanctions and faster weapons deliveries.
Zelensky reiterated that call after the latest attacks, urging the West to target Russia’s oil profits and punish countries still buying it. “Everyone who wants peace must act,” he said.
Meanwhile, Moscow is sticking to its hardline demands. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said any peace deal must include Ukraine’s neutrality, recognition of Russian-controlled territory, and an end to sanctions.
He also accused Ukraine of suppressing Russian culture—an argument Kyiv sees as justification for continued aggression.
This week’s events reveal how volatile the conflict remains. Trump may be losing patience, but Putin clearly isn’t slowing down. And as Ukraine braces for more attacks, the window for diplomacy seems to be narrowing by the day.
About the Author: Georgia Gilholy
Georgia Gilholy is a journalist based in the United Kingdom who has been published in Newsweek, The Times of Israel, and the Spectator. Gilholy writes about international politics, culture, and education.
Fighter Jet Fails
Russia’s Su-57 Felon Stealth Fighter Is a Waste of Rubles
