Russia’s growing desperation reflected in Ukraine onslaught Russia launched one of its most devastating aerial assaults on Ukraine, striking civilian infrastructure with over 600 drones and 73 missiles, resulting in at least 22 deaths. These attacks, preceded by warnings to foreign diplomats, highlight Russia’s increasing struggles in the war, including command-and-communications problems exacerbated by SpaceX cutting Starlink access. The pre-announced attacks serve as a substitute for battlefield leverage, potentially indicating Russia’s desperation to prevent further Western support for Ukraine and signaling a possible opening for serious negotiations.

• Russia conducted a devastating aerial assault on Ukraine with over 600 drones and 73 missiles, targeting civilian infrastructure and causing at least 22 deaths.
• The attacks, including damage to residential buildings in Kyiv, injured 63 people, three of whom were children.
• Prior warnings to foreign diplomats failed to achieve their goal of sowing panic or isolating Ukraine.
• The assaults underscore Russia’s battlefield struggles, compounded by command-and-communications issues and the loss of Starlink access for its army.
• The Kremlin’s actions are seen as a desperate attempt to prevent further Western assistance to Ukraine and to exhaust the Ukrainian population.
• These limited capabilities may push Russia towards serious negotiations and create leverage for a peace agreement.