Russia Launches Major Assault on Ukraine Following Trump’s Peace Ultimatum
Russia launched a massive wave of drone, missile, and artillery attacks across Ukraine between late Tuesday and early Wednesday, killing at least one woman and injuring over two dozen others, according to Ukrainian officials.
The offensive came just 48 hours after U.S. President Donald Trump warned Ukraine to reach a peace deal with Russia within 50 days or face severe U.S. sanctions.
400 Drones, Ballistic Missile Fired in Overnight Barrage
Unprecedented Volume of Shahed Drones and Iskander Missile Used
Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia deployed over 400 drones, primarily Iranian-designed Shahed drones, along with a ballistic Iskander missile launched from the annexed Crimean Peninsula.
“This has never happened before. A ballistic missile and 28 Shaheds simultaneously,” said Oleksandr Vilkul, Mayor of Kryvyi Rig President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hometown.
The coordinated attacks affected multiple cities and regions, severely damaging infrastructure and disrupting essential services.
Kryvyi Rig Suffers Heavy Damage and Civilian Casualties
Teen Among Victims as City Loses Power and Water
In Kryvyi Rig, the missile strike wounded at least 15 people, destroyed an industrial building, and cut off electricity and water for thousands. Among the injured was a 17-year-old boy who is in critical condition after sustaining an abdominal injury.
“Doctors are fighting for his life,” Mayor Vilkul said in a statement on Telegram.
Other Ukrainian Cities Hit: Kharkiv and Vinnytsia Targeted
Widespread Destruction Across Regions
Vinnytsia: At least eight civilians were wounded in overnight drone strikes.
Kharkiv: Another three people were injured in drone and artillery shelling in the northeastern city.
Local authorities described the attacks as part of an intensified Russian summer offensive, combining air, artillery, and drone warfare across the front.
Ceasefire Talks Stalled as Russia Escalates Summer Offensive
Kremlin Open to Talks but No Progress Made
Despite recent signals from Moscow expressing willingness for dialogue, no direct peace talks have been held in over a month, and none are currently scheduled.
Trump, who recently met with NATO leaders, claimed he had secured a deal to supply more American air defence systems to Ukraine, expressing frustration over Russia’s refusal to accept a ceasefire.
“Russia must come to the table or Ukraine will face the consequences,” Trump reportedly told allies.
Escalation Undermines U.S. Diplomatic Pressure
The timing of Russia’s latest strikes coming shortly after Trump’s ultimatum — is widely seen as a defiant message to Washington and a blow to U.S.-led ceasefire efforts.
Military analysts suggest that Russia is leveraging battlefield momentum to tighten pressure on Ukraine before any possible diplomatic concessions are forced.
