In 24 hours, Russia attacked Ukraine with more than 530 rockets and drones, causing casualties and destruction across the country. This unprecedented attack is part of a strategy of attrition ahead of a new Russian offensive. Amidst these attacks, the Kremlin has declared its readiness for negotiations. In response, Ukraine is withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention and calling for Western assistance. Meanwhile, Moscow is maneuvering on the diplomatic front while simultaneously building up its military power.
The largest airstrike of the war
Russia carried out another massive strike on Ukraine, launching 477 drones (mostly Russian-Iranian “Shaheds”) and 60 missiles (including “Kalibrs,” “Iskanders,” and Kh-101s, as well as hypersonic “Kinzhals”). The strikes covered dozens of regions: Lviv, Poltava, Cherkasy, Odesa, and Zaporizhzhia. Critical infrastructure, industrial facilities, and residential buildings were hit, causing power outages and damage to civilian infrastructure. The Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, Rivne, Volyn, Zhytomyr, and Vinnytsia regions, as well as Kyiv, experienced a series of explosions. Among the deceased was a Ukrainian F-16 pilot who had shot down seven Russian targets.
Russia fired more than 114 missiles, over 1,270 drones, and nearly 1,100 guided aerial bombs at Ukraine this week alone.
President Zelensky called on the U.S. to provide more Patriot batteries and to maintain Ukraine's central position in Western support. Ukraine recognizes that Russia's strategy is aimed at exhausting its air defense systems and exerting psychological pressure. Additionally, the Armed Forces of Ukraine expect a new ground offensive targeting the Donetsk, Sumy, and Kharkiv regions.
Rescaling of the Russian Offensive
The Russian so-called “summer offensive” has not yet shown any significant breakthroughs. As notes by CNN, the front is “advancing, but without spectacular results.”
Over the past few months, the Kremlin has concentrated its troops for a large-scale offensive, primarily aiming to capture the Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions. Russia has significantly increased its troop numbers in some areas, particularly near Pokrovsk, to 111,000 soldiers (up from 70,000 in December). However, the advance has slowed, particularly in northern Sumy, where Ukrainian troops have halted the offensive and recaptured some territory. Nevertheless, Russia is conducting intensive infantry attacks along the border of the Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
Both sides are actively using drones for strikes, reconnaissance, and defense. Russia launches hundreds of Shahed kamikaze drones every night to exhaust Ukrainian air defenses. Russia is believed to produce up to 200 Shahed drones per day and to have a stockpile of 6,000 combat drones and 6,000 decoy drones.
Ukraine has withdrawn from the Ottawa Convention
President Zelensky signed a decree to withdraw from the international convention banning anti-personnel mines. The Ukrainian government argues that this is a necessary step to protect against the Russian army's mass use of mines. Ukraine's final withdrawal will take effect after approval by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the UN.
As Ukraine’s Minister of Culture Tetiana Berezhna explained that since 2005, Ukraine has complied with the provisions of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction, but Russia's invasion has put Ukraine at a disadvantage in the war, as Russia has not signed the document.
Putin is ready for new negotiations
Speaking at the Eurasian Economic Union summit in Minsk, Russian President Vladimir Putin also reportedthat Moscow is ready for a “new round” of negotiations with Ukraine and that a meeting could take place in Istanbul. However, he noted that the parties still have significant differences regarding the terms.
Putin also praised Donald Trump, commending him for his efforts to end the war in Ukraine and improve relations with Russia. Putin said that he respects Trump for his endurance after two assassination attempts and is open to a personal meeting with him.
Author: Inna Mikhno