Russia launched another wave of drone strikes on Ukrainian cities overnight, intensifying its assault as former U.S. President Donald Trump made headlines by declaring that Vladimir Putin “has gone crazy.” The remark came during a campaign event where Trump was asked about the worsening war in Ukraine and Moscow’s recent escalations.
Ukrainian officials said more than 30 drones, many believed to be Iranian-made Shahed models, targeted Kyiv, Odesa, and Dnipro, with several intercepted by air defense systems. However, at least four civilians were killed and dozens injured when drones struck residential areas in Dnipro, according to the Ukrainian Interior Ministry.
“Russia continues to terrorize our cities with nightly attacks,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video address. “We need more air defense systems and international pressure to stop these crimes.”
The attacks come amid signs that Moscow is shifting tactics—using smaller, more frequent drone barrages instead of large-scale missile strikes—to stretch Ukrainian defenses and keep civilians in a constant state of alert.
The renewed assault coincides with Trump’s controversial remarks during a rally in Iowa. “Putin has gone crazy. What he’s doing now is not strategic—it’s madness,” Trump said. While he reiterated his belief that the war “never would have happened if I were president,” his comments drew mixed reactions at home and abroad.
Critics noted Trump’s long-standing ambivalence toward Putin during his presidency, while others welcomed the stronger tone. A former senior Pentagon official commented anonymously: “It’s late, but at least Trump is finally saying what world leaders have been saying for two years.”
In Moscow, the Kremlin dismissed Trump’s comments as “political theater,” with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova saying: “Western politicians continue to make a mockery of diplomacy. Russia will not be distracted.”
The drone strikes follow Russia’s recent claims that Ukraine is preparing a “massive counteroffensive” in the eastern Donbas region—a claim Kyiv has neither confirmed nor denied. Military analysts believe Ukraine is ramping up preparations for a summer campaign, focusing on regaining territory lost in recent months.
Meanwhile, NATO leaders have condemned the drone attacks and reaffirmed their support for Ukraine. The U.S. State Department issued a statement saying it was “deeply troubled” by Russia’s continued targeting of civilians and pledged additional air defense assistance, including counter-drone technologies.
The European Union is also discussing a new round of sanctions against Moscow, which could target drone suppliers and financial networks used to evade export controls.
As fighting intensifies, Ukraine’s humanitarian crisis deepens. Over 10 million people remain displaced, and many cities face energy and water shortages due to repeated infrastructure attacks.
With rhetoric hardening in the U.S. and more strikes raining down on Ukraine, the war shows no sign of slowing—only evolving in its destructiveness. Trump’s declaration that Putin has “gone crazy” may reflect growing alarm in the West, but for millions of Ukrainians on the ground, the crisis is far more than words—it is a daily fight for survival.
Source: The Guardian
