(The Post News)- Russia and Ukraine both launched salvoes of drones and missiles overnight into Monday. This action fuels a cross-border air war. The conflict has reached its third year despite the energetic condemnation by US President Donald Trump. He condemned both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported Russia launched 364 air weapons, of which nine were cruise missiles and 355 drones. They were mostly destroyed. However, falling debris damaged many areas. Kyiv was among the affected areas. Apartment complexes were struck there, and at least 11 people were hurt. There were impacts in five regions, with falling debris reported in ten.
This assault followed Saturday night’s massive aerial bombing. It was the largest since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022. The bombing killed at least 12 individuals, including children. Ukraine blamed Russia for launching 367 drones and missiles in the attack.
In response, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy urged the international community and the United States, in particular, to speak more loudly. “The silence of America, the silence of others across the world only encourages Putin,” Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram.
President Trump, in a call from New Jersey on Sunday, sounded irritated at Putin. “He’s killing a lot of people. I don’t know what the hell happened to him. He’s firing rockets into cities, and I don’t like it at all.” Trump, long touting his personal relationship with Putin, suggested that the Russian president “has gone absolutely crazy.”
Trump also lashed out at Zelenskyy, claiming that he was in the way of peace. “Everything that comes out of his mouth creates problems. I don’t like it, and it has to stop,” he wrote on Truth Social.
Despite repeated Ukrainian demands for tightened U.S. sanctions to force Moscow into negotiations, Trump so far has refused to sign off on new sanctions. Kiev wants a 30-day ceasefire to start peace talks. Moscow bluntly rejected the proposal. This rejection did nothing significant to decrease tensions.
At the same time, Ukrainian officials said that their armed forces had successfully hit targets inside Russia. Drones supposedly struck a Shahed drone-manufacturing plant in Yelabuga, Tatarstan. This location is over 500 miles away from Moscow. They also targeted a chemical factory in Ivanovo. This factory is reportedly producing weapon parts.
Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed that it had downed 108 drones fired by Ukraine overnight, including a handful near Moscow. Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said that 12 drones were destroyed approaching the capital.
Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko described the most recent Russian bombardment as “a combined, brutal attack against civilians.” Drone and missile strikes in Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, and Khmelnytskyi caused fatalities, mass destruction, and power outages.
The third and final day of a prisoner exchange began with each side set to free 1,000 detainees. American Special Envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg called Russian shelling “a clear violation” of international protocols. He again called for an immediate ceasefire.
Andriy Yermak, head of Zelenskyy’s office, said that Russia was “delaying” talks. He insisted on more sanctions and weapons to pressure Moscow to negotiate. “As long as Moscow has the ability to produce weapons, Moscow will keep fighting,” he claimed.
With no cease-fire in sight, the war enters its fourth summer. Civilian casualties are mounting. The situation is ravaged by rising destruction and expanding political fissures. There is a growing imperative for diplomatic resolution. This remains elusive to even the world’s most powerful leaders.
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