**Escalating Tensions: Russia Launches Major Air Assault on Ukraine Following Trump-Putin Conversation**

A recent surge in Russian drone and missile strikes highlights the intensifying conflict, as U.S. military support faces new delays.

Russia launched a significant aerial assault on Kyiv and other cities in Ukraine on Friday, marking the most extensive scale of missile and drone attacks witnessed in the ongoing war. This strike occurred just hours after a phone discussion between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian air force officials reported significant numbers of drones and missiles in this barrage, exacerbating an already tense situation.

The attack left Kyiv engulfed in smoke from ensuing fires, though reports indicated that damage was minimal and unclear as to what had ignited. Officials confirmed residential buildings had suffered damage in five districts. Over the past few months, Russia has escalated its drone offensive, consistently launching record-high numbers of attacks that typically incorporate explosive drones alongside cruise missiles and ballistic missiles intended to deceive and overwhelm Ukraine’s air defenses.

Moments before the air alerts went off in Kyiv, Mr. Trump and Mr. Putin held their latest conversation, their sixth this year, wherein Trump remarked to reporters, “I didn’t make any progress with him at all.” While the timing of the aerial assault directly following their call raised speculation, no definitive link between the two incidents was established.

Additionally, Friday's offensive marked the first substantial Russian attack since the Trump administration announced this week it would be delaying certain munitions, including air defense missiles promised to Ukraine. These resources had been anticipated to arrive in the coming weeks or months, highlighting the ongoing strategic complexities and uncertainties in the conflict.