KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — In a significant escalation of its aerial offensive, Russia attacked four Ukrainian cities overnight into Wednesday, resulting in injuries to at least 15 individuals. The bombardment was primarily aimed at Ukraine's energy infrastructure, as reported by local officials.
This strike is a part of Russia’s ongoing aerial campaign, which has increasingly targeted civilian areas amidst the protracted conflict that began nearly three years ago. The timing of the attack coincided with a deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump for Russia to negotiate a peace deal by September 2, under the looming threat of severe sanctions from Washington if the Kremlin fails to comply.
As of now, no date has been scheduled for a potential third round of direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, despite two prior meetings yielding little more than prisoner swaps. The intensity of the recent attack was marked by the launch of 400 Shahed drones and a single ballistic missile, as noted by the Ukrainian air force. The cities targeted included Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, the hometown of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Kryvyi Rih, and other locations such as Vinnytsia and Odesa.
President Zelenskyy urged for a systemic strengthening of Ukraine's defenses in response to the relentless Russian attacks. He emphasized the need for enhanced air defense measures and increased resolve to ensure that Russia feels the impact of Ukraine's retaliation.
In a bid to bolster Ukraine's military capabilities, President Trump announced on Monday that the U.S. will provide additional arms, including crucial Patriot air defense systems, while also threatening further sanctions against Russia. This statement marked Trump's most assertive position against Russian President Vladimir Putin since his return to the presidency six months ago.
However, some U.S. lawmakers and officials from European governments expressed concerns that the 50-day ultimatum might inadvertently allow Russia to seize more Ukrainian territories before any possible resolution to the conflict. Previous U.S. demands have failed to convince Putin to halt his invasion, which has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of soldiers and more than 12,000 civilian casualties across Ukraine, according to United Nations reports.
According to the Institute for the Study of War in Washington, Putin seems to operate under a strategy that aims for incremental territorial gains while relying on the expectation that Western support for Ukraine will eventually wane.
Trump's announcement regarding increased military aid for Ukraine has been welcomed by European officials, although there are calls for the U.S. to share more of the financial burden. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas noted that while they value U.S. support, it is essential for Europe to also contribute to the costs involved in supplying military aid.
In a related development, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed a set-aside of 100 billion euros (approximately $116 billion) in aid for Ukraine as part of the EU’s long-term budget, aimed at assisting the nation’s war-impacted economy as it seeks EU membership. Importantly, this fund is intended for non-military support.
