Ukrainian officials are calling it the largest drone attack since the start of hostilities: Russia unleashed over 170 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) against multiple Ukrainian cities overnight — just hours after former U.S. President Donald Trump issued rare public criticism against Russian President Vladimir Putin.
This drone barrage, targeting energy infrastructure, military depots and residential areas across Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa and Dnipro triggered air raid sirens across four cities: Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa and Dnipro. Ukrainian Air Defense intercepted more than 140 of Iranian-made Shahed drones according to the country’s Air Force – however many still reached their targets leading to power outages, fires and civilian casualties.
“This was by far the most intense drone attack that we have experienced to date,” stated Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yurii Ihnat. Our forces responded heroically, but given its sheer volume it proved almost impossible to prevent all damage.
At least 12 civilians were reported killed and over 60 injured, and emergency responders are still searching for bodies in several districts across Ukraine. Six people died when a residential tower in Kyiv was struck early morning hours. Furthermore, this attack severely damaged key power facilities throughout central Ukraine leaving hundreds of thousands without electricity access.
On Wednesday evening, President Donald Trump made headlines when, speaking at a campaign rally in Atlanta, he made a surprise attack against Putin by condemning what he described as reckless actions on Russia’s part against Ukraine, declaring: “[Putin’s] leadership there is destruction, not leadership.”
Trump, often criticized for his past praise of Vladimir Putin, appeared to change course recently in response to mounting bipartisan pressure to denounce Russian aggression amid Syria’s worsening violence.
Trump stated at the rally, “I used to think he was strategic; now, however, I see someone who has lost the plot – bombing cities and targeting civilians is no sign of strength but weakness.”
Kremlin officials did not comment directly on Trump’s speech, yet within hours Ukrainian radar stations detected suspicious drone activity forming across Russian-occupied Crimea and along the eastern border.
Ukrainian intelligence sources suspect the massive drone deployment may have been pre-planned but accelerated as a show of defiance against Ukraine and international figures who now openly condemn Russian military tactics.
“This is no coincidence,” stated Oleksiy Danilov, Secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council. “Putin is sending out a clear signal not just to us but the entire world – that he doesn’t care what anyone thinks; even Trump.”
The Biden administration strongly condemned Russia’s attack, calling it yet another brutal assault on Ukrainians by Russian Federation. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan noted: “We will support Ukraine with defensive aid while increasing pressure against Moscow to stop these atrocities.”
As Ukraine’s war drags into its third year, attacks appear to be increasing both in scale and frequency with no diplomatic solution in sight. Last night’s attack was another reminder to millions of Ukrainians of an ongoing conflict that continues to raise global stakes – something no doubt many others would like to forget.