Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of launching one of its largest air attacks almost immediately after the July 3 call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“This was one of the most large-scale air attacks—deliberately massive and cynical,” Zelensky posted to X on Friday morning, July 4.
He said Russia launched 550 missiles and drones in the attack, which targeted the capital Kyiv and its broader region, as well as the regions of Dnipro, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv.
There were 23 people known to have been wounded, Zelensky said, but rescue work continues amid the rubble and debris. Recent Russian strikes have killed dozens of civilians, Ukraine says.
“Notably, the first air raid alerts in our cities and regions yesterday began to blare almost simultaneously with media reports discussing a phone call between President Trump and Putin,” Zelensky said.
“Yet again, Russia is showing it has no intention of ending the war and terror. Only around 9 a.m. today did the air raid alert end in Kyiv. It was a brutal, sleepless night.”
Trump said he was “very disappointed” by the Putin call and that he did not think the Russian leader wanted to end the war. Zelensky and Trump are due to speak on Friday.
Putin’s aide Yury Ushakov said the Russian president told Trump on the call that “Russia will achieve its goals” and that “Russia will not retreat from these goals.”
Ushakov described the conversation as “frank, business-like and concrete”.
Zelensky is hoping to convince Trump to turn the screw on Putin and force him to make peace by increasing military aid or sales to Ukraine and an expansion of sanctions against Russia.
The U.S. recently cancelled a planned weapons shipment to Ukraine, a blow to Kyiv, following a Pentagon review that raised concerns about the depletion of domestic stockpiles.
But Trump has also touted sending more Patriot air defense missiles to Ukraine, and his frustration with Putin may open a window for Zelensky to secure more help as Russia amasses 50,000 troops near the Sumy border and continues to pound Ukrainian cities.
Russia also accuses Ukraine of hitting residential areas with drones and missiles, resulting in civilian deaths.
Zelensky said Russia’s strikes are “clear evidence that without truly large-scale pressure, Russia will not change its dumb, destructive behavior.”
“For every such strike against people and human life, they must feel appropriate sanctions and other blows to their economy, their revenues, and their infrastructure,” Zelensky said.
“This is the only thing that can be achieved quickly to change the situation for the better. And it depends on our partners, primarily the United States.”
This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
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