Russian war chiefs have ordered a huge increase in production of an Iranian-designed killer drone. It comes as Kremlin troops launched a record 728 drones and 13 missiles across Western Ukraine overnight
Russia has massively stepped up its drone production, sparking fears it could soon launch 1,000-a-night attacks on Ukraine. The alarm came as Kremlin troops launched a record 728 drones and 13 missiles across Western Ukraine overnight – beating its 550-strong onslaught just days ago.
Poland scrambled its fighter jets and put its armed forces on the highest level of alert in response to Russia ‘s attack. It marks a major escalation in the war and a stark defiance of US President Donald Trump ’s demand for an end to the bloodshed. A senior Ukrainian defence source in Kyiv told the Daily Mirror exclusively: “Intelligence suggests Russia is increasing its drone production and this is a huge concern. We need defensive systems and greater supplies of offensive missiles to push back Russian troops in depth, behind their lines and targeting their logistics.
“At this rate, Russia is increasing its overnight attacks trying to leverage any settlement and could fire 1,000 drones in one night if this continues.” The overnight offensive was launched amid mounting Russian aerial and ground attacks in the now more than three-year-long war.
Trump has declared he will now send more weapons to Ukraine following the supplies pause from America. It is believed the US will deploy ten desperately-needed Patriot missile defence systems to Ukraine to shoot down Russian weapons.
The city of Lutsk, which lies in the north-west of Ukraine along the border with Poland and Belarus, was the hardest hit last night. But ten other regions were also struck, according to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.
Ukraine’s air defence system destroyed 718 of the drones and seven missiles, according to air force intelligence shared on the Telegram messaging app. Russia launched its previous largest aerial assault late in the night of July 4 into the following day, with the biggest prior to that occurring less than a week earlier.
Russia’s army has launched a new drive to punch through parts of the 620-mile frontline, where short-handed Ukrainian forces are under heavy strain. Trump said on Tuesday that he was “not happy” with Russian president Vladimir Putin, who has not budged from his ceasefire and peace demands.
Trump also declared he is “frustrated” with the continuing war, and even admitted Putin’s gestures towards Washington are “meaningless.” He said: “He’s killing a lot of people – his soldiers. I am not happy with Putin.”
Ukraine is hoping the latest Trump switch will signal a pivot away from excusing Moscow’s invasion and repeating Kremlin lines. Mr Zelensky said that the Kremlin was “making a point” with the attack as US-led peace efforts flounder. He has also urged Ukraine’s partners to impose stricter sanctions on Russian oilm as well as those who help finance the Kremlin’s war by buying it.
Mr Zelensky demanded “biting” sanctions on Russia, stating: “Everyone who wants peace must act.” Western military analysts say Russia is boosting its drone manufacturing and could soon be capable of launching 1,000 drones a night at Ukraine.
Russia is also believed to be doing a deal with North Korean despot Kim Jong-Un to deploy tens of thousands more troops from Pyongyang. It has already sent around 13,000 of its troops to back Russia’s invasion – which is making progress, even if it is glacial.
It is believed several thousand North Koreans have been killed in fighting back Ukraine’s invasion into Russia’s Kursk region. This incursion by Kyiv’s troops was aimed at diverting Russian reinforcements from the frontline.
Ukraine has also been launching deep strikes inside Russia, aimed at crippling its logistics and supply chains and hitting large weapons and ammunition dumps, as well as weapons manufacturing plants. Many of Russia’s senior generals and other officers have also been hit, seriously damaging Russia’s military.
But Ukraine has also suffered losses, and is actively trying to sign up more troops to bolster the defence against Russia’s invasion. The latest attacks by Russia triggered a revenge strike by Ukraine’s drone teams inside Russia, causing widespread damage.
It is believed there is now a race against time to get US weapons supplies to Ukraine, as Russia tries to hit western Ukrainian cities – some of which act as supply hubs from which military aid is sent to the frontline.