Russia hammers Kyiv in largest missile and drone barrage since war in Ukraine began

Moscow's position is obvious. They'd like to use diplomacy to sort this out (they attempted 8 years of it) and achieve the goals. In absence of shared realized goals in that area, the portfolio is handed over to the Defense Ministry until all of the above occurs.

Just another war crime by the war criming state.

All PUTaIN is so good at!

Terrorizing, destroying, genocides ......

But, yeah, sure, Donald had such a great phone call with that dictator in the Kremlin.

And that Hegseth guy stopping weapon delivery.

How do they say in Russia: useful idiots!

Ukraine still prevails, more than 3 years already, but at what cost.

It is time to provide Ukraine with what Ukraine needs to end this war, send those Russian marauders to where they belong and regain peace and freedom - with all illegally occupied areas returned.

Moscow's position is the empire getting back together. It is up to free countries to see that doesn't happen.

Life in Ukraine is going from bad to worse, as millions continue to exit, especially the young and educated, to safer locations especially across Europe.

Ukraine's being hollowed out, and the longer the war continues, destroying and indebting Ukraine to their proxy war creditors, the less and less likely these many increasing millions of Ukrainians will ever choose to return

If Trump was going to be a proxy war creditor, he could at least have been a responsible one and read a newspaper or two.

Russia successfully hit eight locations with nine missiles and 63 drones

And 1 person killed, tragic but it could have been far worse. Civilians are not getting targeted.

The Russians are exceptionally professional and use their massive network of Ukrainian supporters in Kiev to tell them when the warehouses and factories and are empty or workers and then the missiles fly.

The Pentagon knows this and are reluctant to send expensive and scarce Patriot missiles knowing they'll get blown up in a warehouse with one pinpoint precision strike by a ballistic missile.

US is NOT a secured proxy war creditor as the US support was given unconditionally by the foolish Biden Admin. Trump has negotiated JV minerals deal that's profit sharing in nature, unrelated to prior US support

Ukraine's becoming a failed state and continue to lose on the battlefield and the world is recognizing there is no military pathway, over a territorial battle with its former Russian speaking citizens who are now Russian.

Trump Admin correctly focused on global strategic matters, not regional territorial matters risking WWIII escalation

It was a multi-package affair with drones, ground launched cruise and ballistics with a few fast-movers. Wasn't just the capital either.

Trump looking like a proxy creditor as he strong armed Ukraine into a mineral deal and just didn't deliver anything on his end. Ukraine still holds alot more territory than mid-2022, though.

LancetToday 06:24 am JST

Is that why russia has never had the intelligence edge in this war, their stunning professionalism?

Seems that Russia's clearly overwhelming Ukrainian Air Defenses, as the recent Iran Israel 12day War and the US Military's need to improve its readiness, means Ukraine's 'territorial' war is no longer an air defense priority

LancetToday  06:24 am JST

Russia successfully hit eight locations with nine missiles and 63 drones

And 1 person killed, tragic but it could have been far worse. Civilians are not getting targeted.

The Russians are exceptionally professional and use their massive network of Ukrainian supporters in Kiev to tell them when the warehouses and factories and are empty or workers and then the missiles fly.

The Pentagon knows this and are reluctant to send expensive and scarce Patriot missiles knowing they'll get blown up in a warehouse with one pinpoint precision strike by a ballistic missile.

That about sums it up, Trump Admin thus not interested in helping prolong this unmitigated disaster, that has no objective other than destruction of Ukraine, while risking WWIII escalation and destroying US military readiness

Ukraine's independence remains a worthwhile objective and has never been part of Putin's surrender demands.

The mineral deal.

Firstly and lastly, there are no minerals to be had (Russia has overrun all the strategic deposits). What this means is Kyiv has sold their country down the river for nothing and interceptors cost cold hard cash and are in short supply. It also means they are not Israel, which is more dire as an ally.

But, yeah, sure, Donald had such a great phone call with that dictator in the Kremlin.

Who knows what was said?

And that Hegseth guy stopping weapon delivery.

Yes, we are giving way too much ammunition to Ukraine and our own stockpiles are dwindling fast, we can’t afford that.

Ukraine still prevails, more than 3 years already, but at what cost.

It is time to provide Ukraine with what Ukraine needs to end this war, send those Russian marauders to where they belong and regain peace and freedom - with all illegally occupied areas returned.

So all the more reason for Europe to step up, there’s only so much we can do, but we need to retain enough ammunition for ourselves

JJE

Moscow's position is obvious. They'd like to use diplomacy to sort this out (they attempted 8 years of it) and achieve the goals.

No, they didn't.

Putin has no intention of diplomacy. He would rather crater his economy for his pride project.

Lancet

Russia successfully hit eight locations with nine missiles and 63 drones

And 1 person killed, tragic but it could have been far worse. Civilians are not getting targeted.

Civilians are absolutely targeted.

The Russians are exceptionally professional and use their massive network of Ukrainian supporters in Kiev to tell them when the warehouses and factories and are empty or workers and then the missiles fly.

Incorrect. Russia is targeting civilians to try and get Ukraine to capitulate.

The Pentagon knows this and are reluctant to send expensive and scarce Patriot missiles knowing they'll get blown up in a warehouse with one pinpoint precision strike by a ballistic missile.

Well the ammunition warehouses that have been blown up are on Russian territory.

It seems more likely a Putin fan in the Pentagon is stopping the shipments on his own agenda. I wonder if Trump has found out yet?

bass4funkToday 06:48 am JST

Yes, we are giving way too much ammunition to Ukraine and our own stockpiles are dwindling fast, we can’t afford that.

How come you don't take the same approach with Israel? We can't possibly afford not to have the arab countries hopping mad at us?

bass4funk

And that Hegseth guy stopping weapon delivery.

Yes, we are giving way too much ammunition to Ukraine and our own stockpiles are dwindling fast, we can’t afford that.

No we aren't.

No we aren't.

We are.

https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-america-stockpiles-army-trump-pentagon-weapons-94ff0c465b58608c653b6f64c113a5b9

"This decision was made to put America's interests first following a DOD review of our nation's military support and assistance to other countries across the globe," said White House spokesperson Anna Kelly to the press. "The strength of the United States Armed Forces remains unquestioned -- just ask Iran."

Officials who spoke to NBC News said the concerns over the state of the U.S. military stockpile arose after multiple years of sending aid to Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, and the conflict in the Middle East involving Houthi Rebels in Yemen and aiding Israel in its defense against Iran.

Trump said he would end the war in 24 hours. Trump has deserted Ukraine and imposed no new sanctions against Putin. There were no problems giving weapons to Israel.

Trump better check his spreadsheets as his $asset list in Ukraine is at risk.

And Putin's Puppet does nothing to help Ukraine stem the Russian invasion...

Trump the groveling Russian lapdog...

BlacklabelToday 07:48 am JST

Joe’s proxy war is never ending.

I think small schoolchildren can understand this is Putin's war.

Wasn’t it 3 years ago that Russia was “out of” bullets and missiles and reduced to drunk conscripts fighting with shovels?

A fine russian talking point you have there. Not of any significance, though.

Trump the groveling Russian lapdog...

No he isn't. But he is aware that this is a lost cause without direct NATO involvement. That is not going to happen so why prolong the inevitable. Russia is advancing on all fronts at a faster pace every month. Ukrainian defenses are struggling. Things are getting worse for Ukraine with no opportunity to turn things around. They were done by fall 2023, all they need to decide is how many more Ukrainians have to die in this pointless proxy war.

Trump said he would end the war in 24 hours. Trump has deserted Ukraine and imposed no new sanctions against Putin.

Not our problem. Let Europe take care of it

There were no problems giving weapons to Israel.

Yes, that’s right. Ukraine needs way more weapons and ammunition than Israel.

The US military said there are no problems with stocks of weapons and munitions. Sme members of the administration are trying to impose their Ukrainian agenda.

Just last week, talking about Patriot missiles, Trump said after meeting Ukrainian President Zelensky "We’re going to see if we can make some available”.

Over the years, the US has given Israel many billions of weapons and munitions.

In 2016, the US and Israel signed a 10-year MOU committing to $38 billion in military aid, including $33 billion in foreign military aid and $5 billion for missile defense. 

The U.S. provides Israel with various military equipment, including F-35 fighter jets, CH-53K heavy lift helicopters, KC-46A aerial refueling tankers, precision-guided munitions, Iron Dome air-defense missiles, small-diameter bombs, and more.

Mr Kipling

Trump the groveling Russian lapdog...

No he isn't.

Yup. He is.

But he is aware that this is a lost cause without direct NATO involvement.

NATO isn't involved. They supply training and arms. That's all.

That is not going to happen so why prolong the inevitable. Russia is advancing on all fronts at a faster pace every month.

No they aren't. Russia have been crawling for years and occupy less territory than at the start of the war.

Ukrainian defenses are struggling.

Their air defense against attacks on civilians is struggling because of rogue elements in the Pentagon cutting off supplies of missiles.

Things are getting worse for Ukraine with no opportunity to turn things around.

Plenty of opportunity, especially as the Russian economy is struggling.

They were done by fall 2023, all they need to decide is how many more Ukrainians have to die

Ukraine has no choice. Putin isn't likely to stop any time soon.

in this pointless proxy war.

Not a proxy war.

Over the years, the US has given Israel many billions of weapons and munitions.

In 2016, the US and Israel signed a 10-year MOU committing to $38 billion in military aid, including $33 billion in foreign military aid and $5 billion for missile defense. 

The U.S. provides Israel with various military equipment, including F-35 fighter jets, CH-53K heavy lift helicopters, KC-46A aerial refueling tankers, precision-guided munitions, Iron Dome air-defense missiles, small-diameter bombs, and more.

Yes, that’s right.

More war crimes against innocent people in Kiev from the fascist Russians.

This war is unwinnable for the Russians, just as Afghanistan was. Do Russians even care about losing hundreds of thousands of young men over the years, with huge deaths to come? Unlikely.

Respect for life is non-existent among Russians. Even their own are not mourned.

Civilians are absolutely targeted. Russia is targeting civilians to try and get Ukraine to capitulate.

All civilian casualties are tragic, anywhere. Given that this was the largest attack of the war and there was 1 person killed however, that is a clear sign civilians are not targeted despite pro NATO propaganda machine saying so. People should look at Israel in Gaza to see what targeting civilians looks like.

Still as stated, all civilian casualties are tragic hence the necessity for Trump administration to persist and accelerate its peace efforts.

bass4funk

No we aren't.

We are.

"This decision was made to put America's interests first following a DOD review of our nation's military support and assistance to other countries across the globe," said White House spokesperson Anna Kelly to the press. "The strength of the United States Armed Forces remains unquestioned -- just ask Iran."

Nope.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unilaterally halted a weapons shipment to Ukraine on July 2 despite internal military assessments showing the aid would not compromise American military readiness, NBC News reported on July 4, citing three U.S. officials.

okinawarides

Civilians are absolutely targeted. Russia is targeting civilians to try and get Ukraine to capitulate.

All civilian casualties are tragic, anywhere. Given that this was the largest attack of the war and there was 1 person killed however, that is a clear sign civilians are not targeted despite pro NATO propaganda machine saying so.

How so? 1 civilian is killed and you think that is proof that they are not targeting civilians? The proof is that they are going after apartment blocks. Apartment blocks aren't military targets.

Still as stated, all civilian casualties are tragic hence the necessity for Trump administration to persist and accelerate its peace efforts.

You can't accelerate nothing. Trump has given up on peace efforts.

NATO isn't involved. They supply training and arms. That's all.

Lol... That is exactly what being involved is. That and intelligence, targeting and you think the Ukrainians are manning the Patriots, Hi-mars, Storm shadows etc all by themselves?

Mr Kipling

NATO isn't involved. They supply training and arms. That's all.

Lol... That is exactly what being involved is.

No it isn't. Boots on the ground is involvement.

If you want to see how that looks like, 30,000 North Koreans are being sent to Ukraine, despite many of you denying North Korea's involvement.

That and intelligence, targeting and you think the Ukrainians are manning the Patriots, Hi-mars, Storm shadows etc all by themselves?

Yup.

Nope. 

Yes OR do you know more than the Pentagon?

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unilaterally halted a weapons shipment to Ukraine on July 2 despite internal military assessments showing the aid would not compromise American military readiness, NBC News reported on July 4, citing three U.S. officials.

But it’s halted nonetheless, so for whatever reason, it’s stopped, I honestly don’t care, but I just want Europe to be more proactive in this.

What a foul little specimen Putin is.

bass4funk

Nope. 

Yes OR do you know more than the Pentagon?

Even the Pentagon admits that "internal military assessments showing the aid would not compromise American military readiness"

This is the third time that Hegseth has done this.

That's what happens when you appoint incompetent drunks to positions of importance.

Mr KiplingToday 09:47 am JST

NATO isn't involved. They supply training and arms. That's all.

Lol... That is exactly what being involved is. That and intelligence, targeting and you think the Ukrainians are manning the Patriots, Hi-mars, Storm shadows etc all by themselves?

Unless they are being manned from the US they are. Isn't it suspicious that there hasn't been a single active duty US service member killed in Putin's War?

all they need to decide is how many more Ukrainians have to die in this pointless proxy war.

Killing invaders is still a worthwhile goal and it is a long way to Kyiv. It can be a "proxy war" and still a war for Ukrainian independence.

bass4funkToday 09:55 am JST

I just want Europe to be more proactive in this.

They already contribute more than the US. The question is whether the US will come out of this looking weak and useless. I know, I know, you would consider that a victory.

 Apartment blocks aren't military targets.

They are if the roof has an air defence missile battery on it.

Btw, it's illegal for Ukrainians to take or share pictures of military or defence related facilities or equipment.

Lancet

 Apartment blocks aren't military targets.

They are if the roof has an air defence missile battery on it.

In Kyiv? Nowhere near the front?

Yeah, right.

You can't accelerate nothing. Trump has given up on peace efforts.

No, he didn't.

Everyone knows Ukraine's imbedded their military within Kiev, including weapons production.

It's thus game on for Russian airstrikes, anyone living in Kiev or other Ukrainian cities should move as far away as possible from any such military targets, don't risk it!

Even the Pentagon admits that "internal military assessments showing the aid would not compromise American military readiness"

But the weapons are not moving forward. Again, I don’t care the reason, I’m just glad

This is the third time that Hegseth has done this.

Ok

That's what happens when you appoint incompetent drunks to positions of importance.

Lol

okinawarides

You can't accelerate nothing. Trump has given up on peace efforts.

No, he didn't.

Really? So what's happening with the ceasefire that Ukraine agreed to months ago?

They already contribute more than the US.

Then do more, stop complaining

The question is whether the US will come out of this looking weak and useless.

I really don’t care how Europe sees us, if they think that, ok, good for them. Lol

I know, I know, you would consider that a victory.

Correctomundo

HopeSpringsEternal

Everyone knows Ukraine's imbedded their military within Kiev, including weapons production.

Incorrect.

It's thus game on for Russian airstrikes, anyone living in Kiev or other Ukrainian cities should move as far away as possible from any such military targets, don't risk it!

They aren't military targets.

They are civilian targets.

How so? 1 civilian is killed and you think that is proof that they are not targeting civilians?

Yes, that seems a pretty good indication they are going after military infrastructure targets. Compare the toll to Gaza.

Russian forces advancing steadily across the entire east, airstrikes effectiveness massively improving, as Ukraine's going from bad to worse on all fronts, there's nothing good happening from a UA perspective.

Sensible Ukranian civilians should be sure to live far away from any military targets, better yet if young and or with children, get out of the country ASAP, life is too precious to take a chance, UA is collapsing

HopeSpringsEternal

Sensible Ukranian civilians should be sure to live far away from any military targets,

They do. Unfortunately, Russia targets civilians.

okinawarides

How so? 1 civilian is killed and you think that is proof that they are not targeting civilians?

Yes, that seems a pretty good indication they are going after military infrastructure targets.

Yeah, right.

NATO isn't involved. They supply training and arms. That's all.

Lol... That is exactly what being involved is.

No it isn't. Boots on the ground is involvement.

Incorrect, there is all kinds of involvement without " boots on the ground". Or was Trump bombing Iran "non-involvement? Since there were no boots on the ground.

*Trump the groveling Russian lapdog...*No he isn't. Yup. He is.

Nope.

NATO isn't involved.

Suuure.

okinawarides

No it isn't. Boots on the ground is involvement.

Incorrect, there is all kinds of involvement without " boots on the ground". Or was Trump bombing Iran "non-involvement? Since there were no boots on the ground.

Oh, so Trump bombed Russia?

If so, I agree, that would be involvement.

Underworld

Oh, so Trump bombed Russia?

If so, I agree, that would be involvement.

Without US involvement by supplying arms and intelligence, Zelenski would not have been able to bomb Russia.

Limiting the definition of "involvement" to "boots on the ground" is a purely semantic fig leaf, which not only Lavrov and Putin, but everyone can see through.

Trump should have walked away from this mess right from the start, instead he sadly got involved with his over-confident "art of the deal" idea. Now, whatever happens, he will be blamed.

The best scenario now is a coup-d´etat in Kiev, leading to regime change and a negotiated settlement.

ZaphodToday  11:22 am JST

Underworld

Oh, so Trump bombed Russia?

If so, I agree, that would be involvement.

Without US involvement by supplying arms and intelligence, Zelenski would not have been able to bomb Russia.

Limiting the definition of "involvement" to "boots on the ground" is a purely semantic fig leaf, which not only Lavrov and Putin, but everyone can see through.

Trump should have walked away from this mess right from the start, instead he sadly got involved with his over-confident "art of the deal" idea. Now, whatever happens, he will be blamed.

The best scenario now is a coup-d´etat in Kiev, leading to regime change and a negotiated settlement.

Great points but do keep in mind there have been no new $Trump military support packages, Ukraine's been burning thru Biden Admin funded support.

Surely proxy war creditors and European partners are figuring out quickly the current situation only gets worse, as Trump's not going to fund and meaningfully support this war that's unwinnable and only risks WWIII

Trump knows Kiev's running out of runway fast, both weapons, troops and political capital and that's his plan in order to force the settlement. Trump needs to keep Putin from becoming totally Chinese in the process

Zaphod

Without US involvement by supplying arms and intelligence, Zelenski would not have been able to bomb Russia.

Not at all. Many of those attacks are from home manufactured drones

Limiting the definition of "involvement" to "boots on the ground" is a purely semantic fig leaf, which not only Lavrov and Putin, but everyone can see through.

Well no marines are losing lives. Big distinction.

Trump should have walked away from this mess right from the start, instead he sadly got involved with his over-confident "art of the deal" idea. Now, whatever happens, he will be blamed.

Well he did say that he would end it in one day. We all knew that he wouldn’t.

The best scenario now is a coup-d´etat in Kiev, leading to regime change and a negotiated settlement.

That would be the worst outcome. Zelenskyy is such a great leader.

Ukraine has no satellites or other serious means to conduct serious battlefield real time targeting and so their finished if Trump turns of the intel 'support'. We all saw what happened in Kursk when he did so.

Safe bet that Trump's now 'tapering' US intel support steadily, another signal to Kiev to sit down and settle this madness, as Trump's not risking WWIII over this territorial dispute with former Russian speaking Ukrainians

Trump told Zelensky that the U.S. is willing to assist Ukraine with air defense amid intensified Russian strikes.

Also, near certainty that Trump told his NATO partners recently, who all agreed to massively increase their military spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, that if they decide to send troops into Ukraine, they're on their OWN

As Trump's definitely not risking WWIII over territorial dispute in Eastern Europe, that's badly damaged US military readiness and cost US taxpayer's 300+ $Billion

 Trump told his NATO partners recently, who all agreed to massively increase their military spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, that if they decide to send troops into Ukraine, they're on their OWN

Trump did not say that.

The NATO summit said it sees Ukraine as a member of NATO and that NATO will fully support Ukraine.

The security of Ukraine is of great importance to NATO and its member states. The Alliance fully supports Ukraine’s inherent right to self-defence, and its right to choose its own security arrangements. Ukraine’s future is in NATO. Relations between NATO and Ukraine date back to the early 1990s and have since developed into one of the most substantial of NATO’s partnerships. Since 2014, in the wake of Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea, cooperation has been intensified in critical areas. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, NATO and Allies have provided unprecedented levels of support.

https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_192648.htm