Despite Trump's promised ceasefire, military aggression from Russia has intensified, prompting urgent calls for US military support to Ukraine.
**Escalation of Russian Attacks on Ukraine Surge Post-Trump Inauguration**
**Escalation of Russian Attacks on Ukraine Surge Post-Trump Inauguration**
Analysis reveals significant increase in missile and drone strikes since Trump's return to office, heightening tensions in ongoing conflict.
In a striking revelation, a recent analysis from BBC Verify shows that Russian attacks on Ukraine have more than doubled since President Donald Trump resumed office in January 2024. Data indicates a continuous escalation in aerial assaults, with the number of drones and missiles fired towards Ukraine reaching unprecedented levels following Trump's campaign claims of negotiating a swift end to the fighting.
Under the previous Biden administration, there was a significant uptick in hostilities, but attacks began to sharply escalate after Trump's election in November. Since his inauguration on January 20, Russian forces have launched a staggering 27,158 munitions, as opposed to 11,614 during the last six months of Biden's term. Ukrainian military intelligence reports a 66% increase in ballistic missile production in Russia, coinciding with Trump's calls for a ceasefire and diplomatic resolution.
Critics have alleged that Trump's administration has sometimes favored Russia, particularly as military supply pauses were implemented in March and July. Despite these pauses being reversed, Russia's intensified production of missiles and drones has left Ukraine increasingly vulnerable, with recent weeks seeing record attacks and numerous civilian casualties in Ukrainian cities.
As attacks peaked, particularly on July 9 when Moscow unleashed 748 missiles and drones, the situation in Ukraine has become dire for residents, with many living in constant fear of aerial assaults. Dasha Volk, a Ukrainian journalist, described living in Kyiv where explosions have become an ordinary occurrence.
Senator Chris Coons, a member of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, argues that Trump's interactions with Putin may have inadvertently emboldened Moscow to escalate its campaign against Ukraine. He called for renewed military support for Ukraine and expressed concerns about the potential weakening of US commitment to the conflict.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that Russia has ramped up its weapon production capabilities, establishing extensive manufacturing facilities for drones and missiles. With claims of producing up to 170 drone units per day, the Kremlin appears determined to sustain its offensive.
Analysts stress the urgent need for the US to reinforce its military support amid fears that a withdrawal of assistance could lead to further Russian aggression. Trump's upcoming decisions regarding military assistance are pivotal as the ongoing war impacts public sentiment and morale in Ukraine, where fatigue from the protracted conflict is already setting in.
