Ukraine has reportedly gained support from the United States to escalate its offensives against Russia in an effort to push Vladimir Putin into negotiations, as per a new report.
It is said that US President Donald Trump privately encouraged Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky to adopt a more assertive approach in targeting Russian infrastructure, according to a senior Ukrainian official cited by the Kyiv Independent. The official, briefed on the recent Trump-Zelensky meeting, mentioned that Trump expressed skepticism about Putin taking action without external pressure.
Following Trump’s remarks at the G7 summit in France urging Moscow to find a resolution to the Ukraine conflict, Ukraine has intensified its actions. Ukrainian medium-range drones have been disrupting Russian supply routes and conducting long-range strikes on critical oil facilities that support the Kremlin’s war efforts.
In recent developments, Ukraine launched strikes on a railway bridge, a power plant, and other strategic assets in Crimea, aiming to isolate the peninsula that was annexed by Russia in 2014. With diplomatic negotiations at a standstill, Ukraine has increased efforts to disrupt supply chains and power grids in Crimea, particularly during the peak tourist season.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov revealed that Ukrainian forces are utilizing drones to encircle Crimea, potentially leading to unforeseen consequences for Russia. Furthermore, Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces, in collaboration with local resistance groups, destroyed a key rail bridge near the North Crimean Canal, disrupting Russian military logistics in southern Ukraine.
Recent drone attacks by Ukraine have also targeted oil refineries deep inside Russia, including a strike on the Tyumen refinery over 1,200 miles away. These actions are part of Ukraine’s strategy to undermine Russian war financing. Additionally, Ukraine launched strikes on the Moscow refinery near the Kremlin multiple times in recent weeks, with one of the largest drone assaults hitting the Russian capital since the conflict began.
As tensions escalate, Russia has retaliated with intensified attacks on Ukraine, resulting in casualties. At least five people have been reported killed, and 49 others wounded in Russian strikes across Ukraine in the past 24 hours. The conflict continues to unfold with both sides engaging in strategic offensives and counterattacks.