Surge in Russian Attacks on Ukraine Coincides with Trump’s Political Comeback**

A BBC Verify report indicates that Russian assaults on Ukraine have escalated significantly since Donald Trump returned to office, with implications for the ongoing war and international relations. Despite Trump's pledge for swift peace, critics note his approach may have emboldened Russia.**

Russian assaults on Ukraine have reportedly seen a dramatic increase since Donald Trump's return to the White House, according to an analysis by BBC Verify. The evaluation revealed that the number of drones and missiles fired by Russia more than doubled since Trump took office in January, despite his calls for a ceasefire and for reducing hostilities.

The surge in attacks began in earnest after Trump’s election victory in November and has peaked with the highest levels of recorded aerial assaults since the conflict began. While some reports indicate a rise in military operations under former President Joe Biden in 2024, this trend accelerated sharply when Trump resumed leadership.

During his campaign, Trump pledged to achieve a ceasefire within a day, claiming that if he were in power, Russia’s invasion could have been averted due to a stronger relationship with the Kremlin. However, critics argue that his actions may have inadvertently favored Russia, evidenced by the intermittent pauses in military support and air defense supplies to Ukraine earlier in his administration. These breaks in assistance, announced in March and July, coincided with an increase in Russian military production, particularly of ballistic missiles.

The data compiled by BBC Verify demonstrates that Russia launched over 27,000 munitions between Trump's inauguration on January 20 and July 19, significantly up from just over 11,000 in the last six months of Biden's presidency. This has led to assertions from the White House, with deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly attributing the ongoing war to Biden’s failures while suggesting that Trump’s approach is aimed at halting violence.

The atmosphere changed during the early weeks of Trump’s new term when Russian attacks momentarily decreased, yet increased significantly again by February after diplomatic engagements between U.S. officials and Russian leadership. Despite Trump's expressed frustration over the escalation of violence from Russia, the Kremlin’s approach has shown resilience and an increase in offensive capabilities, with recorded drone and missile launches.

As Ukrainian cities like Kyiv face daily explosions, residents express fear and uncertainty. Senator Chris Coons highlighted that the U.S. may need to revisit its military support strategies to bolster Ukraine's defenses against ongoing Russian assaults, which include attacks on critical civilian infrastructure, hospitals, and maternity wards.

Analysts suggest that the increase in Russian military output, particularly in missiles and drones, alongside the U.S.'s inconsistent arms provision, has emboldened Moscow. Furthermore, reports indicate that Russia’s production capacity is growing rapidly, with plans to enhance drone manufacturing capabilities significantly.

Ukraine’s Military Intelligence indicated heightened production rates, with reports of nearly 85 new ballistic missiles produced each month. As Russia maintains aggressive military objectives, lawmakers urge for unwavering U.S. support, emphasizing that peace will only be achievable through robust security assistance.

The ongoing conflict continues to wear on the morale of Ukrainian citizens, with many grappling with the psychological toll of constant threats from aerial attacks. They remain steadfast in their resolve but express increasing fatigue as the war drags on, revealing a complex and evolving geopolitical landscape.