Russia launched one of its largest aerial assaults of the year on Ukraine, deploying 574 drones and 40 ballistic and cruise missiles, primarily targeting western regions where military aid from Ukraine’s Western allies is stored, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. The attack, which killed at least one person and injured 15, marked Russia’s third-largest drone strike and eighth-largest missile barrage of 2025, with most strikes hitting civilian areas, despite Russia’s claims to the contrary.

The Russian Defense Ministry asserted that the strikes targeted Ukraine’s military-industrial complex, including drone factories, missile launch sites, and troop gatherings. This escalation coincides with stalled U.S.-led peace efforts following Russia’s 2022 invasion, with recent talks involving U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy yielding little progress.

The assault struck deep into western Ukraine, far from the eastern and southern front lines where a brutal war of attrition continues to claim thousands of lives. In Lviv, near the Hungarian border, one person was killed, three were injured, and 26 residential buildings, a kindergarten, and administrative structures were damaged, as reported by regional head Maksym Kozytskyi. Three Russian cruise missiles with cluster munitions hit the city, according to the Regional Prosecutor’s Office.

Notably, a U.S.-owned electronics plant, the Flex factory, was also struck, injuring six of its 600 nightshift workers, as confirmed by Andy Hunder of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine. Hunder described the attack as a deliberate targeting of American business interests, underscoring Russia’s apparent rejection of peace initiatives. Ukraine, meanwhile, has intensified its own long-range drone strikes on Russian infrastructure, such as oil refineries, driving up Russian gasoline prices.

Amid the violence, diplomatic efforts to end the three-year conflict remain strained. Zelenskyy condemned the attack as evidence of Russia’s disinterest in meaningful negotiations, urging stronger international sanctions and pressure on Moscow. He revealed plans for intensive meetings to clarify security guarantees from allies within the next ten days, aiming to facilitate direct talks with Putin, potentially in Switzerland, Austria, or Turkey, possibly involving Trump in a trilateral format.

However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov insisted that security arrangements excluding Moscow are unfeasible. Zelenskyy also highlighted inaccuracies in U.S. intelligence maps exaggerating Russia’s territorial control, emphasizing Ukraine’s resilience.

As Russia’s relentless drone and missile campaign—nearing 1,000 long-range strikes since recent White House talks—continues to devastate Ukraine, the prospect of a ceasefire remains elusive, underscoring the urgent need for robust diplomatic intervention.

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