Russia Launches Record Drone and Missile Assault on Kyiv During Trump‑Putin Call
Russia unleashed its heaviest drone and missile assault of the Ukraine war overnight Friday, striking Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. Ukrainian Air Force confirmed the attack involved 539 drones and 11 missiles, the largest single volley recorded, in the hours following a troubling phone call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
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Devastating Impact Across Cities
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Kyiv was consumed by smoke as air-raid sirens wailed. Debris from intercepted drones harmed city infrastructure and sparked fires in five residential districts.
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The Polish Embassy in Kyiv and China’s consulate in Odesa suffered damage from falling debris.
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Casualties included one fatality and 26 injuries, including a child, reported across affected regions.
Attack Composition and Air Defenses
Russia employed a variety of aerial weapons:
- One “Kinzhal” ballistic missile, intercepted only by U.S.-supplied Patriot air defense systems.
- Six additional ballistic missiles and four cruise missiles, with Ukraine shooting down two cruise missiles.
- Waves of Iranian-designed Shahed drones, now produced in industrial volumes by Russia, which are tough to intercept due to their numbers and decoy tactics.
Ukraine’s Western and domestic air defense systems are vital in countering these threats.
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Timing Amid Trump‑Putin Call
The strikes followed immediately after a call between Trump and Putin. Trump acknowledged he made “no progress” during the discussion. Later, he spoke with Ukrainian President Zelensky to discuss the airstrike damage and Ukraine’s air defense needs.
This barrage is the first major assault since the U.S. announced it would delay sending Patriot missiles and other promised defense aid. Ukraine relies heavily on these systems to intercept advanced threats like the Kinzhal.
Diplomatic Fallout and Cease‑Fire Reactions
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha sharply criticized Putin’s escalation, stating the strike was a deliberate response to international cease-fire appeals. Sybiha also noted Chinese drone components had been identified in the debris, highlighting China’s indirect role in Russia's drone warfare.
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Putin reportedly reiterated to Trump Russia’s demand for Ukrainian territorial concessions as a condition for a cease‑fire. Conversely, Trump continues to advocate for an immediate, unconditional cease‑fire—proposals Russia has repeatedly ignored.
What Comes Next
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Europe and the U.S. are assessing whether to resume or accelerate the delivery of air defense systems to Ukraine.
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The discovery of foreign-made drone components has intensified scrutiny of China's potential indirect support for Russia's military buildup.
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With increasingly large-scale drone and missile launches occurring almost weekly, Ukraine’s need for robust air shields has never been more urgent.
Takeaway
Friday’s record drone and missile barrage marked a dangerous escalation shortly after diplomatic talks and amid controversy over Western defense aid delays. The attack underscores both Russia’s growing aerial capabilities and Ukraine’s dependence on Western air-defense systems. The discovery of Chinese-made parts in drone remnants adds a geopolitical twist to the ongoing saga.
Tags: Russia drone attack Kyiv, largest bombing Ukraine war, Trump Putin phone call, Ukraine air defense, Russia ballistic missiles, Shahed drone barrage, Ukrainian civilian casualties, US Patriot missiles Ukraine, China consulate damage
