**Russia’s Aerial Campaign Against Ukraine Escalates as US President Gives Moscow 50 Days to Negotiate**
The streets of Ukrainian cities were rocked by explosions overnight on July 16, as Russia continued its relentless aerial bombardment of residential neighborhoods. This latest wave of attacks comes just a day after US President Donald Trump issued a warning that Russia had 50 days to strike a peace deal or face stiff tariffs from Washington.
**Explosions Rock Kyiv and Kharkiv**
Journalists on the ground reported hearing explosions and the sound of air defense units at work shortly before 1 a.m. local time on July 16. Ukraine’s Air Force issued multiple alerts warning of waves of Russian drones targeting the capital and other regions. The northeastern city of Kharkiv came under intensive fire, with at least 17 explosions occurring in just 20 minutes, according to regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov.
**Shahed Drones Ignite Fire in Kharkiv**
The strikes were concentrated on a civilian enterprise in the Kyivskyi district of Kharkiv, igniting a fire and injuring at least three people. Shahed drones attacked the facility, causing widespread destruction. The city of Kryvi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast was also targeted by a mass Shahed drone attack, leaving power outages throughout the city.
**Russia’s Escalating Campaign**
This latest escalation marks a significant uptick in Russia’s aerial bombardments against Ukrainian cities since late spring. On July 9, Moscow launched its largest attack of the full-scale war, deploying over 700 Shahed-type drones and missiles. President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that Russia had attacked Ukraine with over 1,800 long-range drones, 1,200 glide bombs, and 83 missiles in just one week.
**US Ultimatum Gives Moscow More Time**
Trump’s warning to Putin has given Russia an additional 50 days to continue its campaign of aerial terror against Ukrainian cities. Instead of imposing immediate sanctions, Trump has opted for a more measured approach, which some have criticized as giving Moscow too much time to escalate the conflict further.
**Consequences of Delayed Action**
In a statement on July 15, Trump seemed unconcerned by the timeline, saying “I didn’t think 50 days is very long.” However, many observers argue that this delay will only embolden Russia’s aggression and put more civilians at risk. As Ukraine braces for another 50 days of Russian terror, one thing is certain: the international community must continue to push for a peaceful resolution to this devastating conflict.
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