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Russia launches 700 drones against Ukraine after Trump promises to send more weapons

Russia launched a record number of drones against Ukraine overnight. This came shortly after U.S. president Donald Trump announced that he would send additional defensive weapons to Kyiv, and criticised Russian President Vladimir Putin in an unusually direct manner.

Ukraine's Air Force said that its air defence units had destroyed nearly all drones using electronic jamming devices, as well as other means.

The attack on Ukraine, which comes after a series escalating air attacks in recent weeks, shows the need for "biting sanctions" on the sources that Russia uses to fund the war, such as those who purchase Russian oil, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated on Telegram.

Trump said Tuesday that he would consider supporting a Senate bill that would impose harsh sanctions on Russia. This includes tariffs of 500% on nations who buy Russian oil and gas, as well as uranium, among other exports.

"Putin throws a lot more bullsh*t at us than we deserve." Trump told a cabinet gathering that Putin is always very nice, but his words are meaningless.

Trump replied, "I would not tell you." When asked by a journalist what actions he planned to take against Putin. We're going to surprise you.

Separately Europe is working on new sanctions against Moscow.

Trump, who returned this year to power promising to end the war in Ukraine quickly, has changed the U.S.'s rhetoric from staunchly supporting Kyiv to accepting some of Moscow’s justifications to launch a full-scale invasion in 2022.

The initial talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States have not yielded much fruit. Moscow has yet to accept a ceasefire that was proposed by Trump and accepted in Kyiv.

The U.S. President's promise of more defensive weapons reversed the Pentagon decision to halt some crucial munitions to Ukraine days earlier, despite increasing Russian attacks which spread fear in Kyiv.

Zelenskiy, following Trump's promise, said that he ordered on Tuesday an expansion of contact with the United States in order to ensure crucial deliveries of military supplies - primarily air defense.

Keith Kellogg, Trump's Ukraine Envoy

Attendance at the meeting is scheduled for Rome on Wednesday.

Zelenskiy, Kyiv and its European allies attended a conference of international aid on Ukraine from July 10-11.

POLAND SCRAMBLES JET

Residents of Kyiv, and other major cities, spent the night in shelters for air raids such as metro stations.

A part of the overnight Russian strike targeted a region in western Russia, close to NATO member Poland. Zelenskiy stated that the city of Lutsk in the north-west, about 200 km from Poland, was the primary target. He listed 10 other provinces throughout the country which also suffered damage.

Polish and allies aircraft were

Activated

The Polish Operational Command of Polish Armed Forces said that it was committed to ensuring air safety.

Regional authorities reported that although buildings were damaged, there were no fatalities or injuries in the largest airstrike of the war against Lutsk. The city has a population of around 200,000.

Ihor Poleschuk, mayor of Lutsk said that a storage facility and parking structures of a local business were on fire.

Ivan Rudnytskyi said that 50 Russian drones, including five missiles, were flying in the airspace of the Volyn Region, which includes Lutsk.

Polishchuk stated in a video posted on social media that the attack was "the most massive enemy assault with UAVs and missiles against our city and community." (Reporting and editing by Yurii Kvalenko, Lidia Kelley and Alexandar Vaovic)

(source: Reuters)