Moscow’s airports temporarily suspended flights today after a large-scale Ukrainian kamikaze drone attack on the Russian capital. Reports indicate President Vladimir Putin is rejecting any peace proposals, confident that victory is near.
In response, Russian security forces cut mobile communications to try to prevent the drones from hitting their targets. The attack coincided with news that President Donald Trump, who reportedly promised Putin support during a recent call, told European leaders that Putin intends to continue the war, believing he will win.
Satellite images also show Russian troops amassing near the border of a major NATO country.
Despite Putin’s aggressive actions threatening Ukraine’s sovereignty, Trump appears to be softening on harsh sanctions against Russia. Meanwhile, Russia faces accusations of deliberate attacks on Ukraine’s economy, labeled as potential war crimes.
Russia claims to have shot down 105 Ukrainian drones, including 35 around Moscow. One target was Kubinka airport, home to Putin’s advanced warplanes. Other areas like Tula and Novomoskovsk suffered multiple explosions, with a drone crash injuring two in Tula. A regional official, Nikolai Volobuyev, was wounded in a drone attack and hospitalized.
Additionally, a Russian missile strike injured two in Kharkiv, while explosions were reported in Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Kherson, and Poltava Pavlohrad.
Putin’s stance to reject peace efforts stems from his belief that he is close to defeating Ukraine. This was confirmed by Trump’s briefings to European leaders after a recent call with Putin, with the Wall Street Journal citing Putin’s earlier ominous words about finishing off Ukraine.
Experts say tough US sanctions could curb the conflict quickly, but Trump seems reluctant to pursue this path, with Vice President JD Vance recently stating they are “more than open to walking away” from peace talks.
Given uncertain European military support, the conflict’s outcome remains unclear.
