For the first time since December 2024, Russia did not launch any long-range strike drones into Ukraine overnight, Ukraine’s air force reported on Tuesday. This marks a rare pause in Russia’s frequent drone assaults, which have typically involved mass attacks of over 100 drones per night.
Despite the halt in drone strikes, Russia continued its military aggression by firing two missiles at the Zaporizhzhia region, both of which were intercepted. Additionally, five guided bombs struck frontline communities in the region, resulting in one death and five injuries.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Counter-Disinformation Center, acknowledged the unusual absence of drones but cautioned against drawing conclusions too soon.
“We are monitoring the situation, but this doesn’t mean anything yet,” he stated on Telegram.
Cross-border drone strikes between Kyiv and Moscow have persisted, despite U.S. diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire. Last week, the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia agreed to pause attacks on energy infrastructure and in the Black Sea. However, both sides have accused each other of violating the agreement. Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that three Ukrainian drones were shot down over the Bryansk region, while Ukraine claimed that a Russian strike on an energy facility in Kherson left 45,000 people without power.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently pointed to Russia’s relentless strikes as proof that President Vladimir Putin is not serious about peace negotiations. In a recent address, he highlighted ongoing shelling across seven regions, emphasizing that Russia’s daily bombardments contradict diplomatic efforts.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has shown signs of growing frustration with Putin. He recently expressed anger over Russia’s stance on Ukraine’s leadership and hinted at the possibility of additional sanctions on Russian oil exports. Trump remains optimistic about securing a peace deal, but he warned that he would not tolerate stalling tactics from Moscow.
While the absence of drone strikes is noteworthy, Ukraine remains cautious, recognizing that this brief pause may not signal a lasting shift in Russia’s military strategy.
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