Russia conducted its most extensive drone assault on Ukraine since the onset of its invasion, according to Ukrainian officials on Wednesday. This occurred mere hours after U.S. President Donald Trump committed additional military support to Kyiv and accused his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, of dismissing peace negotiations with ‘bullsh*t.’
The actual aerial operation involved 728 drones and 13 missiles, surpassing the previous record of 539 drones set on July 4 by hundreds. The attack caused limited damage because the Ukrainian military, and no immediate reports of fatalities, largely intercepted it. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Telegram, “This is a demonstrative attack, and it comes at a time when there have been numerous attempts to achieve peace and a ceasefire, but Russia rejects all efforts.
Puting said, “Our allies are aware of how to exert pressure so that Russia will be compelled to consider ending the war, rather than continue further strikes. Everyone committed to peace must take action.”
The intense barrage primarily targeted the city of Lutsk in northwestern Ukraine, prompting Poland’s military to scramble aircraft within its airspace. This follows weeks of escalating aerial strikes on Ukraine by Russia. This incident follows weeks of escalating aerial assaults on Ukraine conducted by Russia. “Last night, our region was again subjected to a mass attack,” Ivan Rudnitskyi, the head of the military administration in the Volyn region, which includes Lutsk, stated on Telegram. “Virtually everything was flying towards Lutsk.”
Ukraine Destroyed 718 Russian Drones
Ukraine’s Air Force reported the destruction of 718 drones. There are no immediate reports of fatalities. One woman was hospitalized with chest injuries in the city of Brovary, near Kyiv, according to the mayor. Ukraine launched 86 drones towards Russia overnight, as confirmed by the Russian Ministry of Defense.
Moscow’s intensified assault on Kyiv comes after a noteworthy 48 hours in the White House, during which Trump expressed his frustrations regarding Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s reluctance to commit to a peace deal and affirmed increased support for Ukraine.
“We receive a considerable amount of misinformation from Putin, if you wish to know the truth,” Trump stated during a Cabinet meeting. “He is very personable at all times, but it ultimately proves to be insignificant.”
Trump Vowed to Resume Military Aid to Ukraine
On Monday, Trump pledged to recommence military assistance to Ukraine, subsequent to information from a senior White House official to CNN last week indicating that the United States would suspend some weapon shipments to Kyiv, including air defense missiles.
Kyiv urgently requires additional U.S.-produced Patriot surface-to-air missile interceptors to counter Russian assaults. “We intend to send additional weaponry to Ukraine,” Trump announced on Monday evening. “It is essential that they must be capable of defending themselves.” “They are experiencing severe attacks. We are compelled to send more weaponry,” Trump added. “Primarily defensive weapons, but they are being subjected to very intense assaults.”
A Pentagon spokesperson subsequently stated that, “at President Trump’s direction, the Department of Defense is dispatching additional defensive weapons to Ukraine to enable the Ukrainians to defend themselves while efforts are made to secure a lasting peace and halt the violence.”
According to five individuals familiar with the matter, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth did not inform President Trump prior to authorizing the suspension of weapon deliveries last week. The Chancellor of Germany pledged on Wednesday to continue Berlin’s support for Ukraine, asserting that diplomatic avenues for resolving the conflict are “exhausted.”
“If a regime engaged in military violence openly questions the very existence of an entire nation and seeks to destroy the democratic political order across Europe, my government, led by me, will do everything within its power to prevent such an outcome,” Friedrich Merz stated before members of the lower house of Germany’s parliament.
