On July 9, 2025, Russia carried out its largest drone strike on Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, 728 drones and 13 missiles were launched—surpassing the previous record of 539 drones set just five days earlier. This marks a clear intensification in the pace of attacks since diplomatic efforts to end the war have stalled. Twelve regions were hit, with particular focus on the city of Lutsk, near the Polish border, where critical infrastructure—including warehouses and private businesses—suffered extensive damage. In Kyiv, civilians crowded into shelters to protect themselves and avoid the thick cloud of smoke generated by the assault.

The governor of Donetsk reported that three civilians were killed and ten others wounded. In the Sumy region, four people were killed and another four injured. The governor of Zaporizhia stated that twenty people were wounded and at least 64 homes damaged. In Kherson, one civilian was killed and four others injured.

That same day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack on Telegram, calling it “a demonstrative assault” and noting that it came “at a time when there have been so many attempts to achieve peace and a ceasefire, but Russia rejects them all.” U.S. President Donald Trump echoed Zelensky’s criticism during a cabinet meeting at the White House in the days that followed, openly attacking Russian President Vladimir Putin and dismissing his claims of seeking peace as “bullsh*t.” Trump’s blunt remark reflects a hardening position among many Western leaders, who increasingly view Russia’s diplomatic overtures as disingenuous.

While the Kremlin’s latest offensive signals a troubling escalation of military aggression—moving even further away from a peaceful resolution—the international community continues to affirm Ukraine’s right to peace and recovery through non-violent, constructive measures. On July 10, just one day after the record-breaking strike, the Conference for the Reconstruction of Ukraine convened in Rome, bringing together representatives from over 100 countries to launch a decade-long reconstruction plan for 2025–2035. The World Bank estimates that the project will require at least $524 billion in investment. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the initiative as “an investment in the peace and security of our citizens.” Despite Russia’s ongoing attacks and the deadlock in direct peace talks, the conference underscored a shared global commitment to a peaceful future.

In response to the latest assaults, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) condemned Russia’s repeated targeting of civilian areas. UN data shows that in June 2025, 232 civilians were killed and 1,343 injured—the highest monthly toll in three years. This reflects a worsening trend: in the first half of 2025, 6,754 civilians were killed or injured, a 54 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. The OHCHR noted that many of these casualties occurred in residential areas far from any military targets. Schools, hospitals, and energy facilities have increasingly come under attack, further eroding living conditions for Ukrainian civilians. According to Ukrainian officials, the number of drones launched in 2025 has reached around 20,000—averaging 3,500 per month—more than triple the rate recorded in 2024.

The record-setting strike on July 9 serves as a stark reminder that peace in Ukraine remains fragile and distant. Yet, the strength of the global response—expressed through diplomatic initiatives, financial support, and mechanisms of international justice such as the recent ruling by the European Court of Human Rights—signals a growing consensus in favor of peaceful solutions. As long as nations continue to champion justice, diplomacy, and non-violent reconstruction, the hope for a peaceful future in Ukraine endures, even in the face of mounting aggression.