Putin Strikes Back: Ukraine Hit Hard as Leaders Push for Peace

In a significant escalation amid ongoing hostilities in Ukraine, Kyiv suffered a major overnight assault involving drones and missiles that resulted in injuries to eight individuals.

The city experienced targeted strikes that damaged critical infrastructure, residential areas, and diplomatic premises, marking one of the most intense attacks on the Ukrainian capital this year.

According to official reports from the Ukrainian Air Force and city officials, the Russian military launched an extensive aerial offensive.

It deployed hundreds of drones and cruise or ballistic missiles in multiple waves attacking Kyiv and nearby regions.

The barrage included at least 728 drones and around 13 cruise or ballistic missiles, part of Russia’s ongoing attempt to destabilize Ukraine’s defense capabilities and morale.

Kyiv residents were urged to remain indoors with windows shut, as hazardous chemical traces and strong odors permeated the air following the explosions.

The assault inflicted damage on civilian buildings, a school, healthcare facilities, and transport infrastructure.

Fires were also reported in several districts and injuries to eight people, some requiring hospitalization.

The assault coincided with heightened political activity aimed at curbing the conflict.

U.S. President Donald Trump and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently engaged in talks that stressed the urgency of applying sustained collective pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt the war.

During a planned meeting at Trump’s golf resort in Scotland, the leaders are set to address strategical measures to encourage Putin to cease hostilities and consider peace negotiations.

Their discussions also encompass broader security and trade issues but prominently focus on diplomatic pressure on Russia amidst continuous aggression in Ukraine.

This concerted political dialogue comes after Trump had earlier expressed sharp criticism of Putin’s handling of the conflict.

While maintaining that he has a “very good relationship” with the Russian leader, Trump conveyed frustration over Putin’s dismissal of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whom Putin has questioned on legitimacy grounds.

In media interviews, Trump stated he was “angry” and “pissed off” with Putin’s approach.

According to him, in particular was Putin’s insistence on a transitional government in Kyiv as a precondition for peace talks, calling it “not going in the right direction”.

He also threatened potential secondary sanctions on Russian oil, signaling readiness to escalate economic penalties if Moscow obstructs progress toward ending the bloodshed.

Simultaneously, Ukraine’s leadership has been actively engaged in peace negotiations in Istanbul with Russian representatives, though progress remains limited.

Prisoner swaps and agreements on humanitarian issues have reportedly occurred.

On the other hand, proposed leaders’ summits aimed at ending the war by August face resistance.

Moscow has characterized these talks as limited to document signings rather than substantive discussions.

The timing of the drone and missile onslaught has been perceived by Ukrainian officials as a direct challenge following international political efforts.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister highlighted how Russia’s strikes coincided with diplomatic conversations between Trump and Putin.

He emphasized Moscow’s disregard for ceasefire advocacies and diplomatic overtures aimed at achieving peace.

In response to the attacks, President Zelenskyy condemned Russia’s “deliberately massive and cynical” assault, stressing that without significant external pressure on Russia, the conflict will persist with devastating consequences.

He has voiced hopes for deeper U.S. engagement and support.

These include upcoming talks with Trump to address issues such as the temporary suspension of advanced arms shipments from the U.S. to Ukraine amid the intensifying war.

The complex dynamics underline the fraught environment on the ground in Ukraine.

There, military strikes continue to inflict civilian harm even as diplomatic channels strive to find a resolution.

The coordinated political efforts of Western leaders such as Trump and Starmer signal an intent to maintain unified pressure on Putin.

They are supposedly leveraging diplomatic, economic, and military tools to compel a cessation of hostilities.

Amid this backdrop, the international community watches closely, hoping that combined pressure may eventually lead to a de-escalation and a durable peace in the region.

However, with Russia’s recent military offensives exposing the fragile security situation and ongoing resistance to ceasefire proposals, the path forward remains precarious and uncertain.

This briefing summarizes the latest developments around the major Russian attack on Kyiv.

It also summarizes the current geopolitical efforts by Trump and Starmer to influence Putin’s stance on Ukraine, based on multiple reliable reports from July 2025.

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