KYIV — Russia launched a record-breaking 728 drones at Ukraine overnight, just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump pledged increased military support for Kyiv and sharply criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin.Ukraine’s air force reported downing nearly all drones but confirmed that several hypersonic missiles inflicted damage.
One person was killed in western Ukraine by drone debris, and eight more died near the front lines in the Donetsk region.President Volodymyr Zelenskiy responded by urging “biting sanctions” on Russian revenue, including secondary sanctions targeting nations purchasing Russian oil.
Zelenskiy, currently in Rome ahead of a pro-Ukraine summit, also met Pope Leo, who offered the Vatican as a venue for peace talks—an offer Kyiv accepted but Moscow has yet to acknowledge.Trump, returning to power this year with a promise to end the war that began in 2022, hinted at a surprise move against Putin.
He also voiced support for steep new sanctions, including 500% tariffs on countries that trade with Russia.While earlier Pentagon decisions had delayed weapons shipments to Ukraine, Trump’s pledge appeared to reverse course.NATO Tensions Rise Near PolandRussia’s attack targeted multiple regions, including Lutsk in western Ukraine—just 200 km from NATO-member Poland. Poland and its allies scrambled jets in response.In Lutsk, infrastructure was damaged, and fires broke out, but no casualties were reported.
Ukrainian officials said 50 drones and five missiles entered Volyn region’s airspace.German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, calling diplomacy “exhausted,” promised more air defence systems for Ukraine and reaffirmed NATO support ahead of Thursday’s conference in Rome.As residents in major cities took shelter underground, the scale of Russia’s air assault marked one of the most intense single-day strikes of the war.
