February 23rd 2025.
After a night of intense airstrikes, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took to social media on Sunday to report that Russia had launched a record number of strike drones in a single attack since they first began using Iranian drones to target Ukrainian cities and villages. The strike, which occurred just one day before the three-year anniversary of Moscow's full-scale invasion, was described by Zelenskyy as the largest attack yet.
According to Ukraine's air force, 138 of the 267 drones were shot down over 13 Ukrainian regions, while the remaining 119 failed to reach their intended targets. In addition to the drones, three ballistic missiles were also fired, with one causing a fatality in the city of Kryvyi Rih. These attacks come at a time when Kyiv and other European leaders are struggling to navigate the rapid changes in US foreign policy under President Donald Trump.
Trump's recent engagement with Russian officials and his willingness to reopen diplomatic ties and economic cooperation with Moscow have caused concern in Ukraine, as it is feared that he may join forces with Putin to broker a peace deal without involving Ukraine or its European allies. Zelenskyy has expressed concerns that this could result in lost territory and leave Ukraine vulnerable to future Russian aggression.
These fears were further exacerbated when Trump suggested that Ukraine was the one responsible for starting the war, and that Zelenskyy was acting as a dictator due to the country's failure to hold elections during martial law. Russia's deputy foreign minister has also hinted at a possible Trump-Putin meeting, indicating a potential thaw in the Russian leader's isolation under the Trump administration.
In response to these latest attacks, Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha stated that calling Russia anything other than an aggressor does not change the fact that they are one. He also warned against trusting Putin's words and urged people to look at his actions instead.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy and other officials are set to participate in a forum in Kyiv on Sunday to discuss the current state of the country, just one day before the war reaches its three-year mark. The forum will conclude with a news conference by Zelenskyy, who has been under pressure from Trump's administration to agree to a deal that would allow the US to access Ukrainian rare earth minerals. However, Zelenskyy has refused to accept this deal without specific security guarantees.
In contrast, Putin used a televised message on Sunday, which coincided with Russia's Defender of the Fatherland Day, to praise Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine. He pledged greater social support and resources for the military and reaffirmed Russia's commitment to developing its armed forces to ensure its security and sovereignty.
As European leaders prepare for talks with Trump this week, the UK has announced that it will be imposing new sanctions on Russia in an effort to garner Western support for Ukraine. According to Foreign Secretary David Lammy, these sanctions will be aimed at weakening Russia's military capabilities and reducing the revenue that fuels their destructive actions in Ukraine.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron will also be making separate visits to Washington to persuade Trump not to abandon Ukraine in pursuit of a peace deal. Starmer emphasized the importance of including Ukraine in any discussions about its future and ensuring its long-term security.
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