Russia intensifies air assaults against Ukraine

In a week marked by intense aerial actions and diplomatic efforts, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has seen a significant escalation.

Russia launched massive air strikes on Ukraine after several days of relative calm, employing not only hundreds of drones but also hypersonic missiles, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles. These attacks, according to Russian Ministry of Defense, resulted in the interception of 49 drones in response to these attacks.

Ukraine, in retaliation, has been reported to launch nighttime attacks on targets in Russian territory using combat drones. Explosions were heard over Kyiv, where the nighttime air raid alert lasted nearly eight hours. The military administration of Kyiv urged people to stay in shelters, and unfortunately, in the western city of Lviv, one person was killed, and three others injured. Even in Mukachevo near the border with Hungary, rockets hit, causing 15 injuries.

Amidst this escalation, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky anticipates the start of mass production of a new cruise missile named Flamingo by the end of 2025 or the beginning of 2026. This missile, with a range of 3,000 kilometers, is capable of reaching targets in Russia beyond the Urals. One reported target was the refinery in Novoshakhtinsk in the Rostov region, where a fire broke out.

A factory for electronic components was hit in Mukachevo, causing a large fire. The Ukrainian air defense managed to shoot down one of four Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, but the damage caused remains unclear.

Railway lines in the Voronezh region were temporarily closed due to drone attacks, and the airports of Volgograd and Kaluga had to temporarily suspend operations due to drone alerts.

On the diplomatic front, the US President Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and European leaders discussed a peace process for Ukraine on Monday. Trump's plans include a meeting between Putin and Zelensky as the next step. However, Moscow has not yet commented on this proposed meeting.

The Ukrainian government has shown diplomatic efforts for peace by repeatedly signaling its readiness to negotiate and declaring willingness for an unconditional ceasefire, engaging in international discussions about ceasefire, security, reconstruction, and addressing Russian war crimes in forums such as the UN, NATO, OSCE, the EU, G7, and the Berlin Format; high-level talks took place including meetings in March 2022 with Russian counterparts and Turkish mediation, but progress was hindered by Russia’s maximalist demands.

As the conflict continues, both sides remain resolute, with the hope that diplomatic efforts will lead to a peaceful resolution.