Russia has unleashed a wave of devastating attacks across Ukraine, firing over 400 drones, artillery shells, and a ballistic missile, defying mounting international pressure — including a stern 50-day peace ultimatum from former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Between late Tuesday and early Wednesday, Russian forces targeted multiple Ukrainian regions, killing one woman and wounding more than two dozen people, Ukrainian authorities reported. Among the hardest hit was President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih, where a missile strike knocked out power and water supplies, and injured at least 15 people, including a 17-year-old boy now in critical condition.
“This has never happened before — a ballistic missile and 28 Shaheds simultaneously,” said Mayor Oleksandr Vilkul, referring to the Iranian-designed Shahed drones used in the attack.
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In the city of Vinnytsia, overnight drone strikes wounded eight people, while three others were injured in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city. The Ukrainian Air Force confirmed that the Iskander ballistic missile used in the attack was launched from Russia-occupied Crimea.
The latest escalation comes just two days after Trump issued a warning, threatening to impose severe sanctions on Russia unless it agrees to a peace deal within 50 days to end the three-year-old war. Trump also claimed on Monday that he had struck an agreement with the NATO Secretary-General to bolster Ukraine’s air defense with more U.S.-supplied weapons.
Despite Trump’s threats and increasing pressure from Western allies, there has been no breakthrough in peace efforts. The last direct talks between Ukrainian and Russian officials took place more than a month ago, with no future meetings scheduled, although the Kremlin has signaled it remains open to negotiations.
In recent weeks, Russia has intensified its summer offensive, launching coordinated drone, missile, and artillery strikes while pushing forward along the frontlines. Analysts say the surge in attacks is part of Moscow’s broader strategy to weaken Ukraine’s defenses before any potential ceasefire or diplomatic breakthrough.
As both military and diplomatic tensions rise, civilians continue to bear the brunt of a war now entering its third year — with no clear end in sight.
