Russia launched a saturated attack lasting more than 12 hours, setting a new record for the duration of air strikes in Kiev since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine.
Russian airstrikes lasted for 12 hours, killing several people.
Zelensky “cries pain” and cries support from the West
Zelensky posted a video on social media, stating clearly that the worst damaged in the attack were ordinary houses and civilian infrastructure. "this is Moscow's real position - they don't want peace, they just want war."
It is worth noting that the attack occurred at a critical moment when Uzbekistan and the United States were about to start negotiations on a $90 billion arms sales agreement. Russia chose to launch a large-scale air strike at this time. Its strategic intention is self-evident-it is not only a military pressure on Ukraine, but also a clear warning to the US-Ukraine arms sales negotiations.
At the same time, the content of the phone call between NATO Secretary-General and Zelensky revealed important signals. The mechanism known as the "Ukraine Priority Needs List" is quietly expanding, which means that more European NATO members will fund the purchase of weapons from the United States to assist Ukraine.
Zelensky hopes that the United States and Europe will provide more help as soon as possible.
This type of "supply" military aid avoids the political risks of direct military aid from some countries and ensures the interests of U.S. arms traders.
2. The United States thought about it all night and prescribed a "prescription" for Ukraine
Just before the smoke in Kiev cleared, news came out of Washington that could change the tide of the war: the United States is considering providing Ukraine with Tomahawk cruise missiles with a range of more than 2,000 kilometers through NATO allies.
As a result, missiles fired from the Ukrainian border were able to reach the Red Square in Moscow – a picture that made decision makers in the Kremlin safe.Vice President Wences said in an interview that he stressed that President Trump would make a decision “in the best interests of the United States.”
(Ukrainian armed forces, if equipped with the "Tax", can directly attack the mainland of Moscow)
Behind this phrase, the rule implies a clear warning to Russia: if the warfare continues to escalate, the United States does not rule out taking more radical military aid measures. The "Taxic" cruise missile is one of the major weapons of the U.S. military, and its power has been verified in several local wars. But the key to the question is: can Ukraine really effectively use this cutting-edge weapon?
The reality is that the Ukrainian army currently lacks supporting launch platforms, especially sea-based launchers. Even if the United States provides land-based models, Ukrainian officers and soldiers still need to undergo long-term professional training.
The Russian response: It is useless.
Although the United States and Ukraine are discussing the assistance of Tomahawk missiles in full swing, the Kremlin has unexpectedly shown an open attitude-Putin's invitation is still valid, and he is ready to receive Trump in Moscow at any time. This seemingly contradictory statement just exposes the subtle nature of the current situation.
(Putin's invitation letter is still valid: Trump is welcome to visit Russia)
Russian presidential press secretary Peskov’s response was striking: on the one hand, he stressed that “no spiritual medicine” can change the situation on the frontline, and on the other hand, he said he was “carefully analyzing” the U.S. trends.
The core question that Russia is most concerned about is: Once the Tomahawk missile is deployed in place, who will control the launch button? Is it directly commanded by the U.S. military, or is it operated independently by Ukraine?
The answer to this question will directly determine Russia's response strategy. From a military point of view, even if Ukraine gets the "war ax" missiles, there are still many doubts about the actual operational effectiveness.
Therefore, the "Tax" wave is more like a well-designed psychological warfare. By releasing this signal, the United States puts pressure on Russia and accumulates codes for subsequent negotiations. The Russian side, however, tries to dispel this potential threat through diplomatic channels. Both sides are in the next set of chess, and the chessboard is the entire Ukrainian battlefield.