Today, Kyiv suffered one of the most intense attacks since the start of the war: Russia launched 317 drones and five Iskander cruise missiles. Civilian areas were hit, with direct strikes causing casualties among residents. According to recent reports, the death toll has risen to six, with more than fifty people injured.
Ukraine's air defense neutralized most of the aerial threats, but some rockets and drones hit their targets. There is significant damage to residential buildings in the Solomyanskyi, Holosiivskyi, and Shevchenkivskyi districts of Kyiv. Emergency services are evacuating people and pets, and assistance is being provided to the affected.
Against this backdrop, political rhetoric between former US President Donald Trump and Russian politician Dmitry Medvedev has escalated. Trump once again responded strongly to Medvedev's statements, calling him a “failed former president” and advising him to watch his words. Medvedev replied with references to horror movies and figurative language, which puzzled the Western media.
Western politicians have commented on the situation, calling for harsher sanctions against Russia and reviewing policies toward countries buying Russian oil and gas.
Separately, Reuters reported that Ukraine is facing a budget shortfall, which could worsen due to insufficient anti-corruption measures and slow reforms. Western partners are urging the Ukrainian government to appoint strategic agency leaders, fight corruption, and implement swift reforms as prerequisites for future financial support.
The Ukrainian parliament (Verkhovna Rada) has begun budget discussions, planning additional funds for defense. Officials emphasize that the military needs support, and effective anti-corruption measures and structural reforms are essential for sustained funding. Western aid depends on the success of these reforms.
