KYIV, Ukraine (AP) – Russian military forces launched a fierce missile and drone assault on four Ukrainian cities overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday, injuring at least 15 civilians. This latest attack predominantly targeted energy infrastructure, with officials describing it as a part of Russia's escalating aerial campaign against Ukraine’s civilian areas.
The bombardment occurred just before a crucial deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump for the Kremlin to reach a peace agreement amid the ongoing three-year conflict. If a settlement is not achieved by September 2, Trump has threatened severe sanctions against Russia, raising concerns regarding the implications of this ultimatum.
Despite the urgency, no date has been announced for a potential third round of direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. Previous discussions have not yielded significant progress, apart from prisoner exchanges. The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia deployed approximately 400 Shahed and decoy drones, along with one ballistic missile, targeting several key locations including Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kryvyi Rih—hometown of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy—Vinnytsia, and Odesa.
President Zelenskyy criticized Russia's persistent strategy, stating, "Russia does not change its strategy." He emphasized the need for enhanced air defense capabilities to effectively counteract what he described as terror, calling for more interceptors and a stronger resolve so that Russia acknowledges Ukraine’s defensive capabilities.
Trump, upon addressing the situation, reiterated his commitment to supplying additional weaponry to Ukraine, particularly vital Patriot air defense systems. He also hinted at the possibility of imposing further sanctions on Russia. This marks Trump’s most stringent stance toward Russian President Vladimir Putin since his return to the White House six months prior.
However, some U.S. lawmakers and European officials have expressed concerns that the 50-day ultimatum may allow Putin to seize more Ukrainian territory before any potential peace resolution can be negotiated. Past U.S. pressure on Putin has failed to dissuade him from continuing the invasion, which has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of soldiers and over 12,000 Ukrainian civilians, according to United Nations estimates.
The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, suggests that Putin believes he can achieve his military objectives by maintaining gradual gains on the battlefield and outlasting Western support for Ukraine. This assessment underlines the ongoing challenges facing Ukraine in its defense efforts against Russian aggression.
While Trump announced additional military support for Ukraine, including assurances that European nations would help fund these weapons, there remains a hope among European officials that the U.S. might absorb some of the financial burden. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas highlighted the need for shared responsibility, expressing a desire for the U.S. to shoulder a more significant portion of the costs, stating, "If we pay for these weapons, it’s our support."
As the war continues to evolve, the situation remains precarious, with the balance of power and international involvement in the conflict still in flux. Ongoing attacks and strategic considerations underscore the complexity and urgency of finding a resolution to this protracted conflict.
