Smoke is seen from the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, after a Russian drone and missile strike on July 4, 2025.
Ukraine’s capital Kyiv came under heavy attack on Friday, just hours after former U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that his latest talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin had failed to bring any progress towards ending the war.
At least eight civilians were injured after a barrage of Russian airstrikes hit over a dozen sites in Kyiv overnight. According to Tymur Tkachenko, head of the city’s military administration, residential areas and multi-story buildings in two districts suffered serious damage during the prolonged assault.
Kyiv Under Fire
The Ukrainian Air Force confirmed that several missiles were launched at the capital in the early hours of Friday. They issued an alert about an incoming ballistic missile, shortly before a loud explosion echoed across the city.
Heavy smoke filled parts of central Kyiv, and buzzing drones were heard overhead. The attack added to the already rising anxiety among citizens, who have faced a sharp increase in nighttime bombings in recent weeks.
According to Ukraine’s foreign ministry, over 330 missiles, 80 ballistic missiles, 5,000 drones, and 5,000 gliding bombs were launched by Russia in June alone, making it one of the most intense months since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.
Trump’s Call Yields No Breakthrough
The strike came hours after Donald Trump held a phone conversation with Vladimir Putin on Thursday. The call lasted nearly an hour and touched on multiple issues, including Iran and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
But Trump made it clear after the call that no progress had been made toward a ceasefire.
“I didn’t make any progress with him today at all,” Trump told reporters, sounding visibly frustrated. “We talked about the war, but I’m not happy about it,” he added.
His comments have raised concerns about the future of diplomatic efforts and U.S. support for Ukraine.
U.S. Military Aid Faces Uncertainty
The Trump administration has recently paused shipments of key military equipment to Ukraine. This includes air defense missiles, which are critical to Kyiv’s ability to intercept incoming strikes.
The pause, according to Trump, is part of a broader review to safeguard U.S. stockpiles and reassess American military spending abroad.
Since the invasion began in 2022, the United States has been Ukraine’s largest supplier of military aid. The support has included rocket launchers, drones, tanks, air defense systems, and anti-armor weapons.
But the shift in U.S. policy since Trump’s return to power has raised doubts about whether that support will continue at previous levels.
No Discussion on Aid During Putin Call
Although the weapons pause has drawn global attention, Trump and Putin reportedly did not discuss it during their latest conversation, according to Russian state media outlet TASS.
Instead, the discussion focused on the broader goal of ending the war “as early as possible.” However, Putin stood firm and reiterated that Russia would not back down from its strategic objectives in Ukraine.
This uncompromising stance by Moscow, coupled with stalled diplomatic efforts and reduced Western support, signals more difficult days ahead for Ukraine.
Rising Tensions, Diminishing Hopes
The renewed Russian aggression in Kyiv, combined with Trump’s admission of diplomatic failure and reduced military aid, presents a grim outlook for Ukraine’s short-term future.
With missile attacks increasing and no clear path to peace, Kyiv remains on high alert, as civilians brace for what could be another difficult chapter in the prolonged conflict.
