Russia Unleashes Barrage on Ukraine as US Resumes Arms Flow Amidst Tense Diplomacy
Russia-Ukraine war has intensified dramatically in recent days, with a significant escalation of Russian aerial assaults on Ukrainian cities and crucial shifts in international support and diplomatic engagements. Developments on July 10th and 11th, 2025, indicate a deepening of the conflict alongside fragile peace overtures.
Kyiv Under Siege: Russian Air Assaults Intensify
Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, has once again become the epicenter of a relentless Russian aerial onslaught. On July 9th, Ukraine's Air Force reported an unprecedented barrage involving 728 drones of various types and 13 Iskander and Kinzhal missiles. While 718 aerial targets were reportedly intercepted by resilient Ukrainian defenses, the attacks caused widespread damage and casualties across the nation.
The assault continued on July 10th, with Kyiv enduring another major missile and drone attack, claiming at least two lives and injuring 25. This marks the second consecutive night of heavy bombardment, with Ukrainian officials noting Russia's increasing use of complex tactics and decoy drones designed to overwhelm air defense systems.
The human cost of this escalation is stark: the United Nations reported that Russia's drone and missile attacks in June led to a three-year high in civilian casualties, with at least 232 killed and 1,343 wounded in a single month. Despite the devastation, Russia's Ministry of Defense maintains its strikes target "military-industrial" sites and airfields in Kyiv, denying any intentional targeting of civilians.
US Resumes Arms Deliveries to Ukraine Amidst Policy Shifts
In a significant policy reversal, the United States has resumed sending crucial weapons to Ukraine. This comes a week after the Pentagon had paused some deliveries due to concerns over dwindling US stockpiles, a decision that reportedly frustrated President Donald Trump.
President Trump confirmed that US weapons will now flow to Ukraine via NATO, with the alliance purportedly covering the full cost. "We're sending weapons to NATO, and NATO is paying for those weapons, 100 per cent," Trump told NBC News. He is also expected to authorize the use of the Presidential Drawdown Authority to dispatch approximately $300 million worth of arms from US stockpiles, marking the first such delivery since his return to office.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy continues his fervent calls for more robust military aid, specifically emphasizing the urgent need for Patriot missile systems and the more active use of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's post-war reconstruction.
Tense Diplomacy: US-Russia Talks Yield "New Ideas"
Amidst the intensifying conflict, a glimmer of diplomatic engagement emerged. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held their second in-person meeting in Malaysia on July 10th, on the sidelines of the ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting.
Rubio characterized the exchange as exploring "new ideas" for Ukraine peace talks, though he cautioned that this does not guarantee peace but represents a "concept" he will present to President Trump. Intriguingly, President Trump has publicly voiced his "disappointment and frustration" with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the lack of progress in ending the war, even accusing Putin of "bullshit" regarding his sincerity for peace.
Russia's Foreign Ministry described the talks as a "substantive and frank exchange of views," reaffirming a commitment to peaceful solutions while also seeking to restore economic and humanitarian cooperation with the US. However, Russia has consistently refused a ceasefire for months, and previous rounds of talks with Ukraine have yielded no tangible breakthroughs. President Trump also announced he would make a "major statement" on Russia on Monday, July 14th, details of which remain undisclosed.
Other Notable Developments:
A Ukrainian intelligence officer was reportedly shot dead in a Kyiv car park, with the assailant still at large.
The Vatican's embassy in Kyiv sustained minor damage during recent Russian attacks.
Moscow's Mayor reported that Russian air defenses successfully intercepted four Ukrainian drones targeting the capital, leading to temporary suspensions at several Moscow area airports. Ukrainian drones also caused casualties in Russia's Kursk region.
Ukraine's Ministry of Culture estimates over 1,400 cultural heritage sites have been damaged or destroyed by Russian forces since the full-scale invasion, with UNESCO recognizing the invasion as a direct threat to Ukraine's cultural legacy.
The ongoing conflict remains a complex tapestry of brutal fighting, strategic military aid, and intricate, often frustrated, diplomatic maneuvers on the global stage.
