Ukrainian officials confirmed that 718 of the drones were intercepted, yet six hypersonic missiles inflicted damage in undisclosed areas. Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat noted on national television that "some of the missiles did hit their targets," adding urgency to Ukraine's plea for additional Western defense systems.
President Volodymyr Zelensky reacted swiftly, stating on Telegram, "This is not just a military strike, it is a rejection of peace. Everyone who desires an end to this war must act decisively now." His administration called for "biting sanctions" against nations still purchasing Russian oil and gas, underscoring the economic enablers of Moscow's aggression.
The timing of the offensive was notable. Just hours earlier, Trump lambasted Russian President Vladimir Putin during a Cabinet meeting, calling his peace overtures "bullsh*t" and accusing him of duplicitous diplomacy. "He's very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless," Trump remarked.
Trump's administration, which had paused some weapons shipments to Ukraine, reversed course following the strike. "We're going to send more weapons, they're getting hit very hard," Trump declared. A Pentagon spokesperson later confirmed the renewed shipments, citing Trump's directive to bolster Ukraine's defensive posture.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz echoed the urgency, addressing lawmakers in Berlin: "The diplomatic channels are exhausted. This regime wants to destroy the political order of Europe. We cannot allow that." Germany, he confirmed, would continue military support to Kyiv without hesitation.
Meanwhile, Poland scrambled fighter jets as part of NATO coordination after Russian drones approached its airspace near the western Ukrainian city of Lutsk. Ivan Rudnytskyi, governor of the Volyn region, reported 50 drones and five missiles overhead, with fires erupting at industrial and parking facilities. Fortunately, no fatalities were recorded.
The United States and its allies now face renewed pressure to balance calls for peace with action against a belligerent Kremlin. As Zelensky prepares to meet U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg in Rome, Ukraine's focus remains on securing critical air defense support and pushing back against what Kyiv sees as Russia's sustained campaign of terror from the skies.
