Russia launched a record 728 drones into Ukraine overnight, marking the largest drone strike of the war, just hours after President Donald Trump pledged new defensive weapons to Kyiv and delivered sharp public criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“We get a lot of bullshit thrown at us by Putin… He’s very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting Tuesday.

According to Ukraine’s air force, nearly all drones were intercepted by defense systems, including electronic jamming tools. The attack comes amid a surge in Russian aerial assaults and renewed global attention on sanctioning Russia’s war economy.

Zelenskyy Calls for Tougher Sanctions

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the onslaught, reiterating the need for “biting” sanctions against buyers of Russian oil and other exports funding Moscow’s war.

Trump stated that he’s considering backing a Senate bill that would impose 500% tariffs on countries buying Russian energy and uranium — a sharp escalation aimed at choking Russia’s revenues.

“I wouldn’t tell you,” Trump added when asked what further action he might take against Putin. “We want to have a little surprise.”

Ceasefire Talks Stalled, Aid Resumes

Although Trump campaigned on ending the war quickly, early rounds of ceasefire negotiations have stalled. Moscow has yet to accept the unconditional ceasefire proposed by Washington and accepted by Kyiv.

Still, the U.S. reversal on stalled weapons shipments has brought some hope to Ukraine. Zelenskyy confirmed expanded diplomatic efforts to secure air defense systems and other supplies. Trump’s envoy, Keith Kellogg, is expected at the international Ukraine aid conference in Rome, July 10–11.

Poland Scrambles Fighters

The drone barrage targeted 11 Ukrainian provinces, including Lutsk, a western city near the Polish border.

“It was the most massive enemy attack with UAVs and missiles on our city,” Lutsk Mayor Ihor Polishchuk stated on social media.

Authorities say no deaths were reported, but infrastructure — including a storage facility and parking garages — was damaged. Poland scrambled military jets in response to the threat near NATO territory.

“50 drones and five missiles entered Volyn region airspace overnight,” said regional governor Ivan Rudnytskyi.

 

 

For author: Staff Writer
Courtesy of: Forbes
Source: HuffPost