**Russia’s Escalating Attacks on Ukraine: A Concerning Trend**
As the world continues to watch, Russia has dramatically increased its aerial attacks on Ukraine since President Donald Trump took office in January. Despite Trump’s calls for a ceasefire and his administration’s efforts to broker peace talks, Moscow has seemingly ignored these overtures, choosing instead to ramp up its missile and drone production.
According to a BBC Verify analysis of daily incident reports from the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia launched 27,158 munitions between January 20th and July 19th this year. This is more than double the number of attacks recorded during the final six months of President Joe Biden’s term. The data also shows that Russian attacks have been steadily increasing since Trump’s election victory in November.
**A Ceasefire Elusive**
Trump had promised to end fighting in Ukraine within a day if he returned to office. However, critics argue that his administration has not taken sufficient action to bring about a ceasefire. In fact, the White House has paused deliveries of air defense munitions and other military supplies to Ukraine on two separate occasions, citing concerns over “escalation.” These pauses have been reversed by Trump since then.
Moreover, Senator Chris Coons, a senior Democrat on the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, believes that Trump’s approach to Russian relations may have emboldened President Vladimir Putin. “Putin feels emboldened by Trump’s weakness and has increased his vicious assault on the Ukrainian people,” Coons said in an interview with BBC Verify.
**Increased Vulnerability**
The escalating attacks have left Ukraine increasingly vulnerable to aerial assaults, with explosions around the capital Kyiv becoming a daily occurrence. Journalist Dasha Volk described living in Kyiv as “not a normal way to live” due to the constant fear of missile and drone strikes.
Senator Coons emphasized that Washington must make clear it is not preparing to walk away from the conflict. He urged President Trump to maintain a consistent and sustained position on the war, warning that peace can only be achieved through “surging security assistance.”
**Russia’s Military Production**
Justin Bronk, an analyst at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), noted that Russia has ramped up production of missiles and drones, including the domestically produced Geran-2. He pointed out that Russia’s increased stockpiles have encouraged Moscow to escalate its air campaign.
Ukraine’s Military Intelligence agency (HUR) reported that Russia is now producing up to 85 ballistic missiles per month, a significant increase from April 2024 when production was at 44. Russia has also established a massive manufacturing facility in Alabuga, which produces 170 Geran drones per day.
**The Human Cost**
As the Russian campaign drags on, public morale in Ukraine is being hammered every day. Journalist Dasha Volk expressed concern about the impact of these attacks on civilians. “People are getting tired because of these attacks; they really affect our lives,” she said. The ongoing conflict has become increasingly exhausting for both Ukrainian citizens and the international community.
**What’s Next?**
As the situation in Ukraine continues to unfold, it is essential that the world demands clear leadership from President Trump on this critical issue. Will he take decisive action to bring about a ceasefire and ensure Ukraine receives the necessary military support to protect its people? Only time will tell.
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