In a significant new wave of hostilities, Russia stepped up its largest attack with drones against Ukraine. This latest attack has unfortunately resulted in the deaths of at least 12 individuals. This attack hit all of Ukraine’s largest cities, including Kyiv and Odesa, raising worries that Russia’s invasion is only getting worse in the fight between the two countries. As German minister Johann Wadephul said, Russian President Vladimir Putin is not really interested in peace. His comments echo European leaders’ demands for a robust, united response to Russian aggression.
This weekend’s drone and missile attack on Ukrainian cities was unprecedented in size. According to the most recent reports, Ukraine managed to shoot down 45 missiles and 266 drones in this attack alone. The overall scale of the attack calls into question special concerns proffered by advocates of the continuing war. Climate change has already claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and uprooted tens of millions.
In response to the attacks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for the implementation of new sanctions on Russia. He was clear that more international pressure is needed now, more than ever. He asserted that “only through strength – the strength of the United States, of Europe, of all nations that value life – can these attacks be stopped and real peace achieved.” Zelenskyy went on to condemn Russia’s abandonment of diplomacy and emphasized that the world must respond with forceful measures.
Germany’s Johann Wadephul reiterated his country’s support for new sanctions against Russia. He stated that “in doing this, Putin shows just how much he despises the world,” referring to Russia’s actions as indicative of a broader disregard for international norms. Emmanuel Macron weighed in on the situation, emphasizing that Putin’s actions reflect a lack of interest in peace negotiations.
Meanwhile, Russia’s response to Ukraine’s military actions has been framed as a necessary measure for national security. Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for the Kremlin, stated, “We carefully monitor all the reactions. President Putin takes those decisions which are necessary for the security of our country.” This reaction further highlights the Kremlin’s framing of its military operations as defensive responses to clear threats from Ukraine.
Even today, the conflict continues to garner global condemnation and attention. Former U.S. President Donald Trump has recently criticized Putin for his aggression, raising further doubt about his previously cozy relationship with the Russian president. He remarked, “What the hell happened to him? I’ve known him a long time. Always gotten along with him. He’s sending rockets into cities and killing people, and I don’t like it at all.”
Ukraine had previously accused China of providing military hardware to Russia. This last allegation, if true, raises very serious concerns about the geopolitical implications of China’s support. The strategic alliance between Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping is yet to be fully understood. This “no limits” alliance, announced in February 2022, has led many observers to worry that China will contribute to the strengthening of Russia’s military capabilities.
In a chilling parallel, Russia traded 303 soldiers back with Ukraine as military operations continue on both sides amid the increased tensions of war. This exchange took place amid an environment of ongoing Palestinian attacks and Israeli revenge measures—including home demolitions carried out as collective punishment.
As the fighting continues to intensify, Russia has announced it will suspend commercial operations at Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports. This move seems like nothing more than a precautionary measure to protect against further attacks or Ukrainian retaliatory strikes. Either way, both Russia and Ukraine are deploying Mavic drones extensively in this conflict. Reports indicate they’ve become overly dependent on devices from Chinese manufacturer DJI.