Dronefire and Discord: Trump Calls ‘Crazy’ Putin as Russia Rains Terror on Ukraine

Largest wave of drone strikes in the war’s history unfolds as global leaders clash over response, and Trump blames both sides

Hey Small Biters,

Russia has launched the most extensive drone and missile barrage since the beginning of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. On the night of May 25 into the 26th, the Ukrainian Air Force reported intercepting hundreds of Iranian-made Shahed drones and multiple cruise missiles targeting civilian areas, infrastructure, and air defense systems. This marks the third night in a row of intense aerial attacks.

According to the Ukrainian military, Russia deployed 355 drones and nine missiles in the latest wave, killing at least six people and injuring dozens more. Residential buildings, energy facilities, and transportation hubs in cities like Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Lviv were struck, underscoring Russia’s continued focus on weakening Ukraine’s civilian resilience as summer fighting intensifies.

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This bombardment comes just one night after a previous attack killed 12 people, including children. That attack was widely condemned by international leaders and humanitarian groups, but Moscow has shown no signs of scaling back. Instead, it has intensified its tactics, including the use of “swarms” of drones to overwhelm Ukraine’s air defenses.