Early Thursday, despite President Donald Trump openly expressing disappointment in him, Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a massive new aerial assault on Ukraine—marking the second large-scale strike in just two days. This latest wave of attacks underscored the ongoing brutal conflict that’s now stretched over three years, with no clear end in sight.
A Relentless Rain of Missiles and Drones
The Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, faced a devastating overnight barrage of more than 400 Russian drones and missiles, which caused casualties including two fatalities and 17 injuries, according to city officials. The scale and intensity of this assault were staggering.
Just the night before, Ukraine’s air force reported an unprecedented attack involving 728 Shahed and decoy drones, along with 13 cruise and ballistic missiles fired by Russia. This relentless pattern highlights the alarming escalation of Russian aerial and ground offensives that have continued to intensify in recent weeks.
Zelenskyy’s Response: Calling It Terror
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy didn’t mince words in the aftermath of the attacks. Taking to Telegram early Thursday, he condemned the overnight strike as “a clear escalation of terror by Russia.” His statement resonated deeply with a country weary of constant bombardments and losses.
The timing was particularly notable—these strikes came less than 24 hours after Zelenskyy met in Rome with retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, former President Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine. Their discussions centered on increasing Kyiv’s weapons supplies and bolstering its air defense systems, crucial priorities given the mounting Russian assaults.
In a post-meeting address, Zelenskyy stressed the urgency of these issues “against the backdrop of increasing Russian attacks.” He also expressed gratitude toward Trump for Washington’s resumption of military aid to Ukraine—a lifeline that Kyiv desperately needs.
Diplomatic Moves Amid the Chaos
While Ukraine grappled with the strikes, diplomatic maneuvers were simultaneously underway. On Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting in Malaysia.
Rubio told reporters that Russia had presented “a new and different approach” toward ending the war, but he tempered expectations. “I don’t want to overpromise,” Rubio said. “It’s a concept that I’ll take back to the president, but it doesn’t guarantee peace.” He pointed to the “acceleration” of Russian attacks as a sobering reminder that the path forward remains fraught with danger.
Rubio also expressed frustration over the lack of progress in ceasefire talks, echoing sentiments from Trump, who has become visibly irritated with Putin as the conflict drags on.
Trump’s Frustration with Putin
During a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Trump referred to Putin as “very nice all of the time, but it turns out to be meaningless.” The former president pledged to increase U.S. military aid to Ukraine, highlighting the urgency of bolstering Kyiv’s defenses.
Earlier that week, Trump admitted feeling “disappointed” with Putin over the lack of progress toward ending the war. This admission is notable given Trump’s previous public deference toward the Russian leader. Several lengthy phone conversations between the two men have done little to shift the stalemate.
Moscow’s Cool Reaction
Despite Trump’s frustration, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov appeared unfazed. On Wednesday, he told reporters Russia was “quite calm” about Trump’s comments. He later called the Trump administration’s actions and statements “very contradictory,” hinting at perceived inconsistencies in Washington’s approach.
Keir Giles, a senior fellow at Chatham House, a London-based think tank, weighed in with a sharp analysis to NBC News on Thursday: “Moscow can afford to be relaxed about the latest Trump tantrum.”
He elaborated that despite the internal debates within the Trump administration about military aid to Ukraine, overall support for Kyiv in the U.S. is “dwindling,” and there’s a “resolute determination not to impose costs on Moscow.” That assessment paints a sobering picture of the political challenges Ukraine faces on the international stage.
Europe’s Strong Condemnation
Amid this tense atmosphere, the European Parliament passed a powerful resolution Wednesday condemning Russia’s “ongoing war crimes” in Ukraine. The resolution strongly supported the International Criminal Court’s investigation into alleged atrocities committed during the conflict.
The human toll is staggering. More than 70,000 Ukrainians are officially listed as missing due to the war, a grim figure that underscores the conflict’s devastating impact on civilians. The European Parliament’s statement expressed “deep outrage at Russia’s brutal attacks on civilians,” reflecting widespread international concern.
Adding to this, Europe’s top human rights court delivered a landmark ruling on Tuesday, finding Russia guilty of major violations of international law in Ukraine. This ruling reinforces mounting pressure on Moscow and highlights the gravity of its actions in the eyes of the global community.
Why This Matters: Key Takeaways
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Massive Russian Assaults Continue: Over 400 drones and missiles hit Kyiv in just one night, continuing a brutal campaign.
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Ukraine’s Leadership Stands Firm: Zelenskyy calls the attacks terror, pushes for more weapons and air defense.
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U.S. Diplomatic Tightrope: Rubio cautiously evaluates Russia’s peace proposal amid intensifying attacks.
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Trump’s Public Frustration: Former president disappointed by Putin’s inaction despite earlier engagement.
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Moscow Unshaken: Kremlin dismisses Trump’s remarks and highlights contradictions in U.S. policy.
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European Condemnation: Parliament condemns war crimes and supports ICC investigations.
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Human Toll: Tens of thousands missing, civilian suffering at historic levels.
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