Description: Russian aerial forces launched over 440 drones and 32 missiles in the largest reported attack on Ukraine’s capital so far in the war. Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelenskyy posted on X that up to 18 civilians were killed as larger residential areas were affected by the attacks. The Russian Foreign Ministry officially stated that Russian forces targeted up to 27 Ukrainian military or intelligence strongholds within Kyiv. The White House in the meantime announce the dissolution of a group made from representatives from various departments which worked towards solutions to pressure Russia into investing their efforts towards negotiations and peace talks. The group was comprised of members originating from the Pentagon, Department of State, Foreign Affairs, Treasury Department and various individuals from the intelligence community. Ukrainian forces have recently opened another front in the Sumy region where a consistent Russian military buildup was recorded in the past couple of months.
Impact: With the global attention currently in the Middle East, Russia further solidifies its position on the ground and intensifies the war with Ukraine. The war between Israel and Iran upsurged oil prices which is the main source of the Russian military economy while the US as the main mediator is currently facing domestic crisis in the form of civil upheaval regarding Trump’s illegal anti – immigration policies and its edging towards engaging in the Middle Eastern war. The current constellation of affairs impacted by external factors significantly backtrack the artificial peace efforts surrounding the war in Ukraine as the country remains solely dependent on military support from the disjointed European allies. Russia stands to gain significant upper hand and exploit the current situation which severely compromises Ukraine’s position and forces the latter into eventually agreeing towards larger concessions in the long run.