The Ukraine war, despite recent talks to achieve a ceasefire, continues to escalate. Drone and missile launches multiply on both sides. Just tonight, Russian defenses intercepted 296 drones, several reportedly headed towards Moscow. The weekend saw a historic volume of projectiles and unmanned aircraft used by Russia. The conflict is escalating.
In this context, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski addressed the nation, ordering an increase in military production and particularly long-range weaponry to respond symmetrically to Russian attacks. After meeting with military leaders, he emphasized the need to ramp up drone and missile production, stating that Ukraine is maximizing its entrepreneurial potential for this purpose.
Today, the Ukrainian president is visiting Germany to meet with the new Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, hoping to receive long-range Taurus missiles that his predecessor refused to send to Ukraine due to fears of Russian retaliation.
Zelenski Warns of Russian Intentions to Expand War to Central Ukraine
President Zelenski warned before his visit to Germany that Russians will do everything possible to bring the war to the central Ukrainian region of Dnipropetrovsk.
Russian troops are less than three kilometers from the Dnipropetrovsk region, approaching from neighboring Donetsk.
Russia Claims NATO is Reinforcing Forces in Eastern Europe
Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov stated that NATO, led by the United States, is taking advantage of the Ukrainian crisis to bolster its presence in Eastern Europe and the Baltic states.
Russia is reportedly advancing on almost all fronts in Ukraine, with the West seeking to strategically defeat Russia.
Zelenski Proposes Trilateral Meeting with Trump and Putin
Volodymyr Zelenski proposed a trilateral meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to advance peace talks on the Ukrainian war, urging Washington to impose new sanctions on Moscow.
Zelenski expressed readiness for a Trump-Putin-himself format, open to any meeting arrangement that facilitates peace negotiations.
Zelenski States Russia Has Assembled 50,000 Soldiers for Northern Ukraine Offensive
President Zelenski declared that Russia has amassed 50,000 soldiers near the northern Sumy region, but assured that Kiev has taken measures to prevent a large-scale offensive by Moscow in the area.
This troop concentration comes as Russia appears to be preparing for a summer offensive in Ukraine, while Kiev awaits a memorandum from Moscow outlining conditions for ceasefire negotiations.
Sumy is across the border from Russia's Kursk region, where Ukraine occupied and held a small part of the territory for months before being largely expelled last month, although it claims to still control some areas.
Russia Attacks Several Regions of Ukraine with 6 Missiles and 88 Drones
Russia launched 5 ballistic missiles and 88 drones against Ukrainian territory, with Ukrainian air defenses neutralizing 71 attack drones over various regions in the east, north, and south of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported impacts in 8 different locations, without specifying the targeted infrastructures.
Germany Announces Reception of Zelenski on Wednesday
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski is expected to arrive in Berlin on Wednesday to meet with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the German government as part of diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
Merz will welcome Zelenski with military honors at the Federal Chancellery at noon.
Three Injured in Russian Attack in Central Ukraine
Russia attacked an industrial company in Svitlovodsk, central Ukraine, injuring three people and causing damage to residential buildings and infrastructure, leaving 1,400 residents without electricity.
Trump Criticizes Putin Again: "He's Playing with Fire"
President Donald Trump criticized Vladimir Putin, stating that he is "playing with fire" amid frustration over the lack of progress in ending the war in Ukraine.
Trump's criticism of Putin escalated after Russia's record drone bombardment against Ukraine.