President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that Ukraine has endured its most significant aerial assault ever, with a staggering 728 drones and 13 cruise or ballistic missiles targeting cities across the nation in multiple waves. Zelensky condemned this devastating attack, emphasizing that it occurred at a critical juncture when numerous efforts were being made to pursue peace and establish a ceasefire. He pointed out that despite these diplomatic attempts, only Russia has consistently rebuffed any negotiations for peace.
This overnight strike comes on the heels of a controversial statement from former President Donald Trump, who indicated that the United States would be sending more military aid to Kyiv. This announcement marked a significant reversal from last week’s suspension of military support, a decision that Trump reportedly was unaware of. During a press briefing, Trump expressed growing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating, "We get a lot of bullshit thrown at us by Putin." He further elaborated that while Putin often appears cordial, his words ultimately lack substance.
In response, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov downplayed the remarks made by Trump, describing his communication style as generally harsh. Despite the ongoing dialogue between the two leaders, there has been little progress toward a ceasefire in Ukraine, a goal that Trump previously claimed he could achieve within a day. Following a recent phone conversation with Putin, Trump expressed his dissatisfaction, stating, "He wants to go all the way, just keep killing people, it's no good."
The criticism from Trump came even as his administration announced a temporary suspension of military aid to Ukraine. This decision was reportedly sanctioned by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Elbridge Colby, the under-secretary of defence for policy. When asked about the decision-making process behind the suspension, Trump, sitting alongside Hegseth, responded, "I don't know. Why don't you tell me?" However, recent reports indicate that this suspension may be lifted, potentially allowing for the delivery of 10 Patriot missiles to Ukraine, which are crucial for countering Russia's escalating missile and drone attacks.
On the same day, Trump revealed that he was considering a sanctions bill proposed by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, which would impose a staggering 500% tariffs on countries engaging in trade with Russia. Although Trump has threatened sanctions on Russia since taking office, he has yet to implement any significant measures. Back in June, he hinted that the financial implications of sanctions were considerable and indicated that he was waiting to see if a deal between Russia and Ukraine could materialize.
Despite regular attacks on the eastern regions and Kyiv, no area in Ukraine has been immune to the relentless strikes from Russia. The city of Lutsk, located approximately 90km (56 miles) from the Polish border and serving as a vital transit hub for military and humanitarian aid, bore the brunt of Tuesday's assault. Explosions were also reported in the western cities of Lviv and Rivne.
In a twist of events, Russian authorities reported that a Ukrainian drone attack on the border region of Kursk resulted in three fatalities and injured seven others on Tuesday. Earlier this year, two rounds of ceasefire talks were conducted between Russia and Ukraine; however, no subsequent meetings have been scheduled, and both Moscow and Kyiv appear pessimistic about the prospects for diplomatic resolution. The ongoing conflict, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, shows no signs of abating. As Peskov stated on Wednesday, "We are moving forward," adding that "each new day the Ukrainians have to accept the new realities."
