Russia launched its biggest drone attack ever in Ukraine on July 3, days after the Pentagon suspended the delivery of weapons to Ukraine.
Trump talks about Zelensky and Ukraine’s defense in frustration with President Putin
President Donald Trump has said he is “disappointed” with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
WASHINGTON – Russian drone attacks on Ukraine have skyrocketed as the Pentagon continues to retain delivery of major air defense supplies, including patriot interceptors.
According to the War Institute, Russian drone strikes increased by about 500% in June and July.
“Ukrainians are being beaten at unprecedented levels of strength,” said Fred Kagan, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. “They need all sorts of air defense urgently.”
Russia slammed Ukraine all night on July 3, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. As the attack continued until July 7th, at least two people were killed nationwide and more than 90 were injured nationwide.
Russia launched around 1,270 drones and 39 missiles in Ukraine last week, according to Ukraine’s President Voldymi Zelenkie.
Escalation arises as the Pentagon suspends delivery of weapons to Ukraine, including major air defense weapons like the Patriots. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell called it a “competent review… ensuring that US military aid aligns with our defense priorities.”
Democrats criticize weapon cutoffs
Democrats said Ukraine’s air defense is the biggest concern.
Adam Smith, a top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, said air defense was “unquestionably” and “the biggest concern” after the Pentagon paused over weapons delivery.
Smith said concerns that military aid to Ukraine and Israel is draining US stockpiles were not a “just excuse.”
Since Russia first invaded Ukraine, he said, “The stockpiles I’ve seen aren’t lower than they’ve been in the last three and a half years.”
“I’m torn between whether our national security is really violating what we really need,” Smith added, “an excuse for Putin to pave his way in Ukraine.”
Two top Democrats on the Senate Armed Services Committee, Officer Jack Reed and Chris Koons, called “the latest and most dramatic blow to our support for Ukraine” in a joint statement on July 3rd, aid.
“This support, including key air defense interceptors and artillery bullets, was provided by Congress and designated for delivery several months ago,” they said.
Kagan said the concentration of Russian drones would “promote” ballistic missiles that permeate Ukraine’s defenses. The shortage of patriot interceptors would “just photograph ballistic missiles while keeping Ukraine open to Russians.” Patriots are Ukraine’s only air defense system and can lower ballistic missiles, he added.
Recently, both Zelensky and President Donald Trump have nodded to Ukraine’s need for air defense, but no deals have yet been made.
“I had a very fruitful conversation with the US President yesterday, and during that time we discussed air defense,” Zelenskyy said in a July 5 video statement.
Trump appears to have agreed, telling reporters on the same day that Ukraine needs patriots “for defense.”
“They’re getting hit quite hard, so they’re going to need something,” he said. Trump said he was “very unhappy” in a call he served with Russian President Vladimir Putin a few days ago.
“He wants to go all the time, just keep killing people,” Trump said.
Trump temporarily blocked all military aid to Ukraine in March after an oval office with Zelensky was left to a verbal fight.
