KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — In a dramatic escalation of its military campaign against Ukraine, Russia launched its largest drone attack overnight, according to Ukrainian officials. This assault, described as part of an intensifying bombing strategy, further undermines the already fragile hopes for peace in the three-year-old conflict.
U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Russian leader Vladimir Putin, accusing him of going “crazy” for intensifying attacks on Ukraine.
As the third consecutive night of significant bombardments unfolded, analysts suggest that Russia’s increasing aerial campaign represents a deliberate effort by Putin to gain more Ukrainian territory and impose significant damage, especially after Kyiv’s acceptance of a 30-day ceasefire in March, which was proposed by the U.S. but ultimately dismissed by Moscow.
This month alone, Russia has repeatedly broken its previous records for aerial bombardments of Ukraine, demonstrating a notable shift in military strategy.
Currently, the combat front spans roughly 1,000 kilometers (620 miles), where Russian forces reportedly continue to make slow but costly advancements. Analysts point to preparations for a summer offensive, indicating sustained military determination from Russia.
“This ongoing wave of attacks reflects a sense of complete impunity that allows Russia to engage in such actions,” stated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a Telegram post.
He emphasized that while there is little military rationale behind these escalations, they carry substantial political significance.
The overnight bombardment marked a significant increase in scale, with Russia deploying 355 drones, making it the largest single attack since the beginning of the war.
Just the night before, Russia conducted another extensive operation, launching a combination of 298 drones and 69 missiles, which Ukrainian officials claimed to be the largest coordinated aerial assault to date. Overall, from Friday to Sunday, approximately 900 drones were directed toward Ukraine, as reported by officials.
In a parallel escalation, Russia’s Defense Ministry announced that their forces downed 103 Ukrainian drones flying over regions in southern and western Russia, including areas near Moscow.
As a result of these Ukrainian drone attacks, the Federal Air Transport Agency of Russia stated that 32 incoming flights to three Moscow airports were redirected.
The authenticity of these figures from both Ukraine and Russia remains unverifiable.
Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, the conflicts have turned into a proving ground for more advanced drone warfare techniques, which are generally less costly to produce than traditional missiles.
Russia has relied on Iranian-made Shahed drones since the beginning of its military operations and is believed to be actively developing its own variants. In response, Ukraine has not only received battlefield drones from its allies to address troop shortages but has also innovated its long-range drones for deep strikes within Russian territory.
In light of these developments, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that there would now be “no longer any range restrictions” on weapons delivered to Ukraine.
This includes military assistance from the British, French, Germans, and Americans, allowing Ukraine to potentially strike military installations within Russia itself.
Merz’s remarks left open the question of when these restrictions might have been lifted, suggesting significant changes in military support dynamics.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov deemed the lifting of these restrictions as “quite dangerous,” asserting that such actions run counter to ongoing efforts to achieve a political settlement.
French President Emmanuel Macron echoed this sentiment, stating that the latest Russian escalations illustrate how Putin has misled the European and American leaders. During his visit to Vietnam, Macron posited that Ukraine’s allies should create a timeline for Putin to prove his honesty, warning of substantial retaliatory consequences should he fail to comply.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas confirmed the bloc’s intentions to impose additional sanctions on Moscow, condemning Russia’s recent assaults as “totally appalling.”
Although Trump threatened the possibility of massive sanctions, he has yet to take definitive action. However, he expressed growing frustration with Putin, stating in a Sunday night post that his formerly amicable relationship with the Russian leader had soured dramatically.
Moreover, Trump criticized the current state of affairs, indicating that Putin’s aggressive campaigns were unjustified and unnecessary.
Simultaneously, Peskov insisted that the decisions made by Putin are crucial for Russia’s security and that these actions are, in part, reactions to Ukraine’s strikes against them.
Negotiation processes are described as being at a critical juncture, often linked to emotional strain and heightened reactions from both parties.
On a separate note, a prisoner exchange occurred over the weekend, marking the largest swap of the war thus far, with each side releasing over 1,000 prisoners, including both soldiers and civilians.
These developments signal an ongoing volatility in the region, underscoring the increasing complexity of resolving the ongoing conflict.
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