KYIV, May 27 (Alliance News): Russia unleashed its largest drone attack since the start of the war in Ukraine, just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump publicly rebuked Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling him “absolutely crazy” and warning of possible new sanctions.
Ukraine’s air force reported that Russian forces launched 355 Shahed-type drones — including decoys — and nine cruise missiles overnight from Sunday to early Monday. The barrage targeted multiple Ukrainian cities, stretching the country’s air defenses. Although Kyiv did not confirm casualties from this specific assault, officials said at least 13 people were killed in weekend strikes.
Trump, who has repeatedly claimed he could end the war “within 24 hours,” has so far failed to gain significant concessions from Moscow. On Sunday, in a rare shift in tone, he expressed open frustration with Putin, saying, “If he wants all of Ukraine, that will lead to the downfall of Russia.” He also said he was “absolutely” considering increased sanctions.
The Kremlin responded to Trump’s remarks by downplaying them. “This is a very critical moment, which is fraught with emotional stress for everyone,” said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, adding that President Putin was acting to ensure Russia’s national security.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reacted to the drone strikes by calling for tougher sanctions on Russia. “The increase in Russian strikes should be met with increased sanctions,” he posted on social media, condemning the Kremlin’s growing sense of “impunity.”
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced there were “no longer any range restrictions” on Western-supplied weapons to Ukraine, allowing Kyiv to strike military positions inside Russia. The Kremlin warned that such a move would be “dangerous” and hinder peace efforts.
Ukrainian air force spokesperson Yuriy Ignat acknowledged the growing difficulty in intercepting Russia’s increasing number of drones. “We need rational and cheaper ways to shoot them down,” he said, emphasizing the need for more Western defense systems, including Patriot, NASAMS, and IRIS-T systems.
Russia also claimed to have captured two villages in Ukraine’s northern Sumy region, where intense fighting continues. At least one civilian was reported killed in Russian shelling over the past 24 hours.
Diplomatic activity has picked up recently, with a major prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine over the weekend — each side released 1,000 detainees. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is in Moscow to discuss further diplomatic efforts.
While Kyiv has pushed for a 30-day ceasefire, Russia has instead proposed a memorandum stating its own terms — a move Ukraine sees as a delaying tactic.
Ukraine’s SBU security service also reported arresting several individuals, including a teenager, who were allegedly acting as Russian informants and directing drone strikes.
