Kyiv, Ukraine – May 28, 2024 —
Russia unleashed its third
consecutive night of massive drone attacks on Ukraine early Monday, killing at
least six civilians in what Kyiv called the largest aerial assault since
Moscow’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022. The strikes came as former
U.S. President Donald Trump accused Russian leader Vladimir Putin of having
“gone absolutely CRAZY” while criticizing Ukrainian President Volodymyr
Zelenskyy for his appeals to Western allies.
Unprecedented Drone Onslaught
Overnight, Russian forces fired a record 355 Shahed
drones and 9 cruise missiles at cities and towns
across Ukraine, overwhelming air defenses and striking residential areas,
energy infrastructure, and emergency shelters. Ukraine’s Air Force
spokesperson, Yuriy Ignat, confirmed the attack marked the largest
single deployment of drones since the war began.
Casualties and Damage:
- At
least 6 civilians were killed, with multiple injuries
reported.
- Rescue
teams worked through the night to extinguish fires and pull survivors from
rubble in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Zhytomyr regions.
- Sunday’s
earlier barrage, involving 367 drones and missiles, killed 12
people, including three children, in Zhytomyr.
Videos shared by Ukrainian officials showed apartment blocks
engulfed in flames and civilians huddled in metro stations as air raid sirens
blared. “The world cannot normalize this terror,” Zelenskyy said in a televised
address.
Trump’s Explosive Comments
Amid the escalation, Donald Trump took to his social media
platform, Truth Social, to lambast Putin while rebuking Zelenskyy:
- On
Putin: “He has gone absolutely CRAZY! I’ve always said he wants ALL of
Ukraine, not just a piece. If he does, it will lead to Russia’s downfall!”
- On
Zelenskyy: “He is doing his country no favors by talking the way he
does. Everything out of his mouth causes problems. It better stop.”
Trump, who has repeatedly claimed he could “end the war in
24 hours” if reelected, offered no concrete steps to counter Russia’s
aggression. His remarks drew sharp criticism from Ukrainian officials, with
Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, stating: “Without pressure, Russia
will only build up forces for more murders. Moscow will fight as long as it can
produce weapons.”
Kremlin’s Response: A Delicate Balancing Act
The Kremlin downplayed Trump’s “crazy” label, attributing it
to “emotional overload” while praising his engagement in peace talks.
Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said: “This is a crucial moment accompanied by
emotional reactions. We remain committed to dialogue.”
Analysts note Putin is walking a tightrope—publicly
endorsing diplomacy to appease Trump while demanding terms akin to Ukraine’s
surrender. Russian state media largely ignored Trump’s criticism of Putin,
instead amplifying his reproach of Zelenskyy.
Russia’s Drine Warfare Strategy
The strikes highlight Moscow’s evolving tactics:
- Domestic
Production: Russia has ramped up manufacturing of Iranian-designed
Shahed drones, reducing reliance on imports.
- Saturation
Attacks: Overwhelming air defenses with sheer numbers, often followed
by precision missile strikes.
- Psychological
Warfare: Targeting civilian areas to demoralize populations ahead of
potential summer offensives.
“Russia wants to break Ukraine’s spirit before launching
ground operations,” said military analyst Oleksandr Kovalenko. “But Kyiv’s
resilience remains strong.”
Zelenskyy Condemns ‘Silence of America’
Zelenskyy accused the U.S. and allies of inadequate support
amid the bombardment:
- “Every
Russian strike is reason enough for new sanctions,” he declared,
referencing stalled Western aid packages.
- Kyiv
Day celebrations, marking the city’s founding, were marred by attacks,
with residents sheltering underground.
Despite bipartisan U.S. Senate approval of a $61 billion aid
package for Ukraine in April, Trump-aligned lawmakers have delayed additional
funding, citing “lack of oversight.”
Global Reactions and Stalled Diplomacy
- European
Union: Urged tougher sanctions but faced pushback from Hungary and
Slovakia.
- United
Nations: Secretary-General António Guterres called for an “immediate
humanitarian pause,” though Russia vetoed a related Security Council
resolution.
- NATO:
Deployed additional air defense systems to Eastern Europe but ruled out
direct intervention.
The Road Ahead
With Russia intensifying attacks and Ukraine pleading for
advanced weaponry, the war enters a critical phase:
- Ukrainian
Counteroffensive: Plans for summer operations hinge on timely Western
arms deliveries.
- U.S.
Elections: Trump’s rhetoric fuels uncertainty over future U.S.
support, emboldening Moscow.
- Putin’s
Endgame: Analysts debate whether Russia seeks territorial gains or
merely to exhaust Kyiv’s resources.
As exhausted Ukrainians brace for more strikes, Zelenskyy
vowed: “We will defend our land. Darkness cannot defeat light.”