Russia and Ukraine Launch Largest Drone Attacks Yet in Escalating Conflict

Photo : Reuters

Russia and Ukraine both launched their largest drone attacks on each other overnight, signaling a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. This development came despite a phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, in which Trump reportedly urged Putin not to escalate the war.

Trump's election to the White House has the potential to disrupt the nearly three-year-long conflict and has cast doubt on the continued multi-billion dollar U.S. support for Ukraine, which has been essential to its defense. Trump, who made claims during his campaign that he could end the war quickly, has suggested he would seek direct talks with Putin — a stark departure from the current U.S. administration’s approach under President Joe Biden.

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On Sunday, it was reported that Trump had spoken to Putin earlier in the week, on Thursday, and had advised the Russian leader not to intensify the war. According to sources, Trump, from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, reminded Putin of the substantial U.S. military presence in Europe, signaling a strong position. The Kremlin had expressed cautious optimism regarding Trump’s willingness to negotiate a deal, with some sources indicating that Trump had shown interest in discussing a resolution to the war soon.

Trump is set to be inaugurated in January, but as of now, the conflict on the ground in Ukraine and in the skies continues unabated. Russia launched 145 drones at Ukraine overnight, the largest such attack in the war so far, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. These drones, including Shahed and other types of strike drones, hit multiple targets across Ukraine. Zelensky called on Ukraine’s Western allies to provide more assistance to strengthen Ukraine’s defense.

Meanwhile, Russia claimed to have shot down 34 Ukrainian attack drones targeting Moscow on Sunday, marking the largest drone assault on the Russian capital since the start of the war. The ongoing battle has intensified as both sides trade increasingly severe blows.

U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan warned that the Biden administration would spend the remaining $6 billion allocated for Ukraine's defense before Trump takes office. Sullivan cautioned that halting U.S. support for Kyiv would increase the risks for Ukraine and could significantly weaken its position in the conflict.

Despite having publicly supported Kamala Harris during the U.S. election, the Kremlin is believed to have been more favorable toward Trump’s return to power. Russia is particularly keen on Trump’s skepticism regarding American military aid to Ukraine, as well as his tendency to embrace unconventional leadership approaches. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov referred to the signals from Trump as “positive” and noted that Trump’s focus on striking deals and seeking peace was a stark contrast to the current U.S. administration’s stance. Peskov also highlighted Trump’s unpredictability, suggesting it was difficult to predict how he would approach the conflict once in office.

Trump has yet to provide specific details about how he intends to negotiate peace or what terms he would propose. Russia, meanwhile, has set clear preconditions for any peace talks, including Ukraine's withdrawal from parts of its eastern and southern territories. Some reports suggest that Trump briefly raised the issue of territorial concessions during his call with Putin.

Following Trump’s election, Zelensky has strongly warned against making any concessions to Putin. He has emphasized that giving in to Russia’s territorial demands would only embolden Moscow and lead to more aggression. Zelensky has repeatedly stated that without continued U.S. support, Ukraine risks losing the war.

The talk of a possible peace deal comes as Russia has made significant territorial gains on the battlefield. Moscow’s forces made their largest territorial advances in October since the war began in March 2022, according to an analysis by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). On Sunday, Russia’s defense ministry claimed to have captured another village in Ukraine’s east.

Meanwhile, in the capital city of Moscow, Ukrainian forces launched one of the largest drone attacks on the city since the beginning of the war. The assault targeted Russian military sites in Moscow, although the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv is far more frequently targeted by Russian missile and drone strikes. Moscow region governor Andrei Vorobyov described the Ukrainian strike as "massive," with the attack temporarily shutting down three airports, injuring a woman, and causing fires in the village of Stanovoye, located in the Moscow region.

The rising scale of drone attacks and territorial shifts on the battlefield show that both sides remain entrenched in their positions as the war enters its third year, with no clear end in sight. The international community watches closely as Trump prepares to take office and his proposed shift in U.S. policy toward Russia and Ukraine continues to generate significant debate.