Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the war’s largest barrage on Ukraine, deploying 150 missiles and 300 drones across 10 regions, hours after a contentious call with U.S. President Donald Trump on July 3.
This assault, described by Ukrainian officials as the largest since the conflict’s onset in February 2022, follows a contentious 90-minute telephone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump on July 3, during which peace terms and tariff negotiations were reportedly discussed. The barrage, which targeted critical infrastructure including Kyiv’s power grid, Odesa’s port facilities, and Kharkiv’s residential zones, resulted in 45 civilian deaths and over 100 injuries, while damaging 50 key sites and plunging 20% of the country into darkness.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack as a direct response to Trump’s call, which proposed a 60-day ceasefire contingent on Ukraine’s neutrality—a condition rejected by Putin, who instead demanded full territorial concessions. The operation involved 10 Tu-95 strategic bombers and five Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, overwhelming 70% of Ukraine’s air defenses, which struggled to counter the coordinated strike.
The United States, committing an additional $1 billion in emergency aid including anti-missile systems, faces pressure from NATO allies, who represent 80% of Ukraine’s military support, to intensify sanctions on Russia. The assault has displaced an estimated 500,000 people since June, with analysts predicting a 30% increase in casualties if the conflict intensifies. Ukraine is preparing a counteroffensive, with military exercises scheduled for July 10, aiming to reclaim 10% of lost territory