Russia has launched its most extensive drone and missile attack on Ukraine since the beginning of the war over three years ago, targeting regions near NATO and EU borders, including a military airfield in western Ukraine.
According to Ukraine’s Air Force, Russia deployed 728 drones and 13 missiles in the latest wave, claiming the lives of at least one civilian in the Khmelnytsky region. Ukrainian air defenses managed to intercept 711 drones and shoot down seven missiles, minimizing the potential damage.
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President Volodymyr Zelensky described the strike as a deliberate move to derail recent peace efforts. Speaking from Rome, he urged Western allies to enforce stricter sanctions on Russia, especially targeting its energy sector.
“This is a message. At a time when we pursue peace, Russia responds with escalation,” Zelensky said, calling for unified international action.
International Reaction and Rising Tensions
The timing of the attack coincides with former U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks promising increased arms support for Ukraine and criticizing President Vladimir Putin’s stance on the conflict.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials have accused China of aiding Russia’s drone and missile production, urging the West to impose secondary sanctions to prevent technological assistance.
Security officials in Kyiv recently detained two Chinese nationals attempting to smuggle missile components out of the country, raising new concerns over global involvement in the conflict.
Frontline Escalation and Russian Advances
On the battlefield, Russia continues to make slow but steady progress. The Russian defense ministry announced the capture of Tolstoy, a village in the Donetsk region. Ukrainian prosecutors also reported the deaths of eight civilians in Donetsk due to Russian airstrikes, including a one-year-old child in Kherson.
Russia’s record-setting attack follows Washington’s reversal on a temporary weapons supply halt to Ukraine. Ukrainian officials argue that this triggered the latest escalation.
As Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov downplayed Trump’s rhetoric, the Russian leadership confirmed it remains committed to its war goals and sees no immediate diplomatic solution.
Ukraine, in turn, has increased its own drone operations, with Russian officials claiming to have intercepted 86 UAVs near the border.
