Russia launched 550 drones and missiles overnight Friday, including seven ballistic rockets, the Ukrainian Air Force said, in one of the Kremlin’s largest-ever attacks on Ukraine.
Ukraine shot down 475 drones and missiles, according to the Air Force. The attack mainly targeted Kyiv, injuring at least 20 people and destroying residential buildings and rail infrastructure.
The bombardment followed a call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin which, according to Trump, yielded no progress toward ending the war.
“Putin clearly demonstrates his complete disregard for the United States and all those who have called for an end to the war,” said Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, adding that he believes Russia deliberately launched an attack after the call with Trump. He called for further sanctions on Moscow and defensive weapons for Kyiv.
During the call with Trump, Putin insisted that Russia would not back down from its original goals in the war, a Kremlin aide said, including addressing its “root causes” — a phrase Russia uses to argue that Ukraine posed security threats that justified its invasion.
“I’m very disappointed with the conversation I had today with President Putin, because I don’t think he’s there, and I’m very disappointed,” Trump said. “I’m just saying I don’t think he’s looking to stop, and that’s too bad.”
Since the start of the year, Russia has intensified its aerial attacks, launching multiple record-setting barrages in recent weeks. In June alone, Moscow launched 5,337 Iranian-designed Shahed drones — by far the highest monthly total since its full-scale invasion started in February 2022.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon halted shipments of promised air defense missiles to Ukraine due to worries that U.S. weapons stockpiles have fallen too low, POLITICO reported Tuesday. Ukrainian officials warn that the aid freeze will only encourage Russia.
When asked about the pause on Thursday, Trump said: “We are giving weapons, and we’re working with them and trying to help them,” adding that the U.S has to “make sure we have enough for ourselves.”
Following the call with Putin, Trump also spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron. They discussed Ukraine, Iran and ongoing trade negotiations, according to a French government readout.
Trump is expected to speak with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday. Ukraine said the two will discuss the halted weapons shipments.
Kyiv hopes to purchase American weapons instead if it’s unable to get more military aid from Washington, POLITICO reported this week.
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