President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine has been hit by way of the largest ever aerial assault from Russia – 728 drones and 13 cruise or ballistic missiles hit towns across the nation in a couple of waves.
Zelensky condemned the “telling assault”, including: “It comes exactly at a time when such a lot of efforts had been made to reach peace, to determine a ceasefire, and but handiest Russia continues to rebuff all of them.”
The in a single day strike got here after President Donald Trump stated america would ship extra guns to Kyiv – a reversal of ultimate week’s suspension which US media stated Trump had now not recognized about.
On Tuesday, america chief expressed rising frustration at Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“We get numerous bullshit thrown at us by way of Putin, if you wish to know the reality,” Trump advised journalists. “He is really nice to us at all times, nevertheless it seems to be meaningless.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated Moscow was once “beautiful calm about this. Trump’s approach of speaking is typically reasonably harsh, the words he makes use of.”
The 2 leaders had been in common touch however this has up to now didn’t translate into tangible steps in opposition to a ceasefire in Ukraine – one thing Trump as soon as stated he would be capable to reach in an afternoon.
Remaining week, following a telephone name with the Russian president, Trump stated he was once “very unsatisfied”.
“He needs to head all of the approach, simply stay killing folks, it is no just right,” Trump stated of Putin.
The complaint got here even because the Trump management introduced a suspension of army help to Ukraine, reportedly accepted by way of US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Elbridge Colby, the under-secretary of defence for coverage.
Requested by way of journalists on Tuesday who had taken the verdict, Trump – sitting proper subsequent to Hegseth – answered: “I do not know. Why do not you inform me?”
The reversal of the verdict would possibly now imply that 10 Patriot missiles is also despatched to Ukraine, consistent with US outlet Axios.
Kyiv depends upon the interceptors to check out to counter Russia’s missile and drone assaults, which keep growing in depth and frequency.
On Tuesday Trump additionally stated he was once “having a look at” a sanctions invoice by way of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham that will see 500% price lists imposed on international locations that business with Russia.
Trump has been threatening sanctions on Russia since taking place of work in January however has up to now didn’t impose any. In June, he said that he identified sanctions “price some huge cash” and signalled he was once ready to look whether or not a deal between Russia and Ukraine could be signed as an alternative.
Alternatively, ultimate week america president stated he and Putin had mentioned sanctions “so much” and added: “He understands it can be coming.”
Even supposing the east of the rustic and Kyiv come beneath fireplace frequently, no nook of Ukraine has been spared by way of Russian moves.
The town of Lutsk – which lies 90km (56 miles) from the Polish border and is a transit hub for army and humanitarian help – suffered the brunt of Tuesday’s in a single day assault.
Explosions had been additionally reported within the western towns of Lviv and Rivne.
For his or her phase, Russian government have stated {that a} Ukrainian drone assault at the border area of Kursk killed 3 folks and injured seven others on Tuesday.
Two rounds of ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine happened previous this yr however no different conferences have up to now been scheduled – and neither Moscow nor Kyiv seem positive that international relations will clear up the war, which was once sparked by way of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
In the meantime, Russia’s summer time offensive in jap Ukraine grinds on.
“We’re shifting ahead,” stated Peskov on Wednesday. “Each and every new day the Ukrainians have to simply accept the brand new realities.”
