Record Drone Attacks Cloud Hopes for Trump-Putin Deal

AFP/APP

Moscow: Russia and Ukraine exchanged record-setting drone attacks overnight, even as the Kremlin hinted at “positive signals” from US president-elect Donald Trump regarding a potential peace deal to end the conflict.

Trump’s upcoming presidency raises new questions about Washington’s multi-billion-dollar support for Kyiv, critical to Ukraine’s defense. On the campaign trail, Trump suggested he could bring an end to the fighting “within hours” and has expressed willingness to engage directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin, marking a stark departure from President Joe Biden’s approach.

While Trump will not assume office until January, the hostilities on the battlefield remain intense. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that Russia launched an unprecedented 145 drones, including Shahed models, in a single night-time strike. Zelensky called on Western allies to intensify support for Ukraine’s defense amid escalating drone warfare.

Simultaneously, Russia claimed to have intercepted 34 Ukrainian attack drones over Moscow on Sunday, marking the largest drone assault on the Russian capital since the start of the conflict in 2022.