On 9 July 2025, Ukraine endured its most devastating aerial assault of the war, facing an overwhelming barrage of 728 drones and 13 missiles launched by Russian forces, marking the largest single strike since February 2022. The assault targeted cities across western and central Ukraine, including Lutsk, Kyiv, Lviv, and Rivne. It killed at least five civilians in towns such as Rodynske and Kostiantynivka, with more injured. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced the bombing as a “telling escalation,” stressing, “It comes precisely at a time when so many efforts have been made to achieve peace… and yet only Russia rebuffs them.” He urged action by Western nations: “Our partners know how to apply pressure… Everyone who wants peace must act.”

The timing is striking. The attack came just hours after former U.S. President Donald Trump sharply rebuked his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, describing his diplomatic overtures as “bulls – –t” and “meaningless”. Trump also criticized Putin for “killing a lot of people” and announced a reversal of the sudden Pentagon halt on arms shipments, pledging 10 Patriot missiles and further defensive support to Kyiv. This U-turn followed confusion when Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had unilaterally paused weapons deliveries, reportedly without White House clearance. Trump framed the pause as a mistake he corrected: “They’re getting hit very, very hard. We’re going to send more weapons.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov downplayed Trump’s criticism, saying Moscow remained “quite calm about this,” and claimed Russia’s offensive was justified as necessary to its security. Russia has yet to comment on Trump’s reported 2024 threat to bomb Moscow if Russia invaded Ukraine. On the ground, Ukraine’s air defenses intercepted hundreds of drones and missiles, though the sheer scale of the onslaught strained systems and exposed vulnerability. Zelensky reiterated that without enhanced Western sanctions—especially on Russian oil—and expanded air defense aid, Moscow would continue targeting civilians.

The attack coincided with Zelensky’s travel to Italy ahead of a Ukraine Reconstruction Conference in Rome, where he planned to meet Pope Leo XIV, European leaders, and a U.S. envoy, seeking firmer commitments to peace and recovery. As Ukraine reels from its deadliest strike yet, the international spotlight is back on Western unity—and whether Trump’s renewed posture will translate into sustained defense and deterrence support.