Russia Launches Large Scale Drone Attack Against Ukraine

What Happened?

Russia launched one of its largest drone attacks against Ukraine since 2022, with nearly three hundred drones attacking Kyiv on Saturday. The drones were all targeted against Ukraine’s capital, and despite the large number of unmanned aerial vehicles used, Ukraine reported only one fatality from the onslaught. 

Ukraine’s intelligence service reported that it believed Russia had also intended to launch ballistic missiles, though their report has not been confirmed. The Russian government offered no comments on the attack.

Why it Matters

The large-scale Russian drone attack on Kyiv comes just a day before U.S. President Donald Trump indicated he would speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone to discuss ways to end the war in Ukraine. It also comes a day after U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance met with Ukrainian President Zelensky in Rome. 

It is likely the drone attack itself is a message from Moscow. Because the drones struck Ukraine’s capital and appeared not to be aimed at any military targets, the attack is more akin to an act of state sponsored terrorism than conventional military action. Terrorism is defined as violence against civilians to achieve a political aim, and the Russian drone attack fits this definition well.

If the drone attack is a message from Moscow, then the logical question becomes what exactly is the message? Mr. Putin has stonewalled diplomatic efforts to find a peace agreement while continuing to attack Ukraine and demanding significant concessions from Ukraine. Mr. Putin has offered nothing in return for Ukrainian territorial concessions. The drone attack is likely a message that Mr. Putin is prepared to continue attacking Ukraine until they agreed to his terms to end the war.

Though Ukrainians are war weary, the overwhelming majority of the public in Ukraine remain opposed to giving in to Mr. Putin’s demands for territorial concessions and to being ruled by Russia. Ukraine has suffered significant losses since 2022, but with arms and material still flowing in from the European Union, Ukraine could continue to fight Russia for an extended time period.

The Trump Administration has been vocal on wanting to end the war. But neither President Trump nor any of his officials have offered any type of plan or arrangement for ending the war that is acceptable to both Russia and Ukraine. Despite the desire of the Trump Administration to end the war, both Russia and Ukraine desire to keep fighting. 

How it Affects You

Whether the scheduled phone call between President Trump and President Putin will change anything remains to be seen, but by his actions it seems clear Mr. Putin is not interested in negotiations. Ukraine appears to still possess the will to fight, and until that changes the war is unlikely to end, regardless of what Moscow or Washington DC wants.