In a significant escalation, Russia targeted Ukraine with a record 728 drones overnight, just hours after US President Donald Trump announced plans to send additional defensive weapons to Kyiv. Trump also sharply criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin, marking a rare display of direct confrontation.
The recent drone assault is part of a series of escalating airstrikes involving hundreds of drones and ballistic missiles, which have tested Ukrainian air defenses amid the ongoing conflict now entering its fourth year. Ukrainian forces managed to shoot down nearly all of the drones, but some of the six hypersonic missiles launched by Russia caused unspecified damage, according to air force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat.
President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is scheduled to meet US envoy Keith Kellogg in Rome on Wednesday, emphasized the importance of implementing “biting sanctions” against those funding Russia’s war efforts, including buyers of Russian oil.
Meanwhile, Trump indicated he is considering supporting legislation that would impose heavy sanctions on Russia, including a 500 percent tariff on nations purchasing Russian exports such as oil, gas, and uranium.
During a cabinet meeting, Trump dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s rhetoric, saying, “We get a lot of nonsense from Putin. He’s very polite, but it’s all meaningless.” When asked what actions he might take against Putin, Trump cryptically responded, “I wouldn’t tell you. We want to have a little surprise.”
On the diplomatic front, Europe is working on a new sanctions package aimed at increasing pressure on Moscow.
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