Kyiv, 5 July 2025:
Russia launched the biggest aerial assault on Ukraine since the full scale invasion started in February 2022. Russian forces used 11 missiles and 539 drones in a ruthless overnight attack on Kyiv, striking almost every district and gravely wounding at least 23 civilians.
478 of these devices were successfully destroyed by Ukrainian air defenses. The night was characterised as "deliberately massive and cynical" by President Volodymyr Zelensky, who also denounced it as "clear evidence that Russia will not change its dumb, destructive behavior without truly large scale pressure." He attested that Dnipro, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv were among the other areas hit by the strikes.
The attack came after Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump spoke over the phone on Thursday, July 3. Later on, Mr. Trump acknowledged that he was "extremely disappointed with the conversation." He "didn't make any progress with him at all," he continued, adding, "I don't think he's looking to stop." Trump and Zelensky had a separate discussion shortly after, which both parties characterised as "very important and productive." According to reports, they talked about ways to improve Ukraine's air defense capabilities by working together to produce and acquire weapons. The call was also deemed "fruitful" by Zelensky's office, which focused on preparing for closer cooperation on air defence systems.
Due to diminishing supplies, the Biden administration has also started to halt some US military supplies to Ukraine, particularly air defence missiles like Patriot and AIM-7. European allies and NATO officials have hinted that they might have to cover the void. Officials in Kyiv reported extensive damage after the bombardment, including damaged apartment buildings, schools, and underground metro shelters, as well as explosions and emergency sirens tearing through the night sky. President Zelensky called the attack "an act of terror" and called for immediate international pressure and new sanctions.
Peace talks are still on hold despite sporadic prisoner talks and exchanges. Even as Russia ramps up its increasingly destructive aerial campaign, Ukraine and its Western leaning allies are under growing pressure to fortify their air defenses as the war enters its third summer.
