Following a reported Ukrainian drone strike on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s helicopter during a May 20 visit to Kursk, the Kremlin responded with overwhelming force: nearly 300 drones and 69 missiles rained down on Ukraine in the largest single attack since the war began.
Kyiv and other major cities were rocked by explosions, fires, and civilian casualties.
.@POTUS: “I’m not happy with what Putin’s doing… he’s sending rockets into cities and killing people — and I don’t like it AT ALL. We’re in the middle of talking and he’s shooting rockets into Kyiv and other cities. I don’t like it at all.” pic.twitter.com/dBxCD9K6s4
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 25, 2025
“Putin has gone absolutely CRAZY,” Trump posted on X. “Missiles and drones are being shot into Ukraine and needlessly killing a lot of people.”
He also pointed the finger back at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy—and President Joe Biden—for what he called “gross incompetence” that allowed the war to spiral out of control.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 26, 2025
The May 20 drone attack on Putin—reportedly involving 46 Ukrainian drones—was a bold and highly symbolic move.
While Russian air defenses intercepted the assault and Putin remained unharmed, the strike showed just how far Ukraine is willing to go to take the fight to Russian leadership.
What followed was one of the most brutal nights in Ukraine since the invasion began in 2022.
On May 24–25, Russia unleashed a massive wave of missiles and drones targeting civilian and infrastructure sites.
Zelenskyy condemned the silence of the international community, calling it “emboldening to Putin.”
The message from Moscow was unmistakable: any attack on Putin, even if unsuccessful, will be met with overwhelming retaliation.
In addition to labeling Putin’s actions as “crazy,” Trump blamed the escalation on Zelenskyy’s refusal to negotiate peace.
Trump’s comments refer to Zelenskyy’s firm stance that Ukraine must regain all of its territory, including Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014.
In April, Zelenskyy reiterated that any peace deal must include full restoration of Ukraine’s borders.
Trump called that demand “inflammatory” and warned it would prolong the conflict and make negotiations impossible.
While many in the West support Ukraine’s territorial integrity, Trump’s comments reflect a growing sentiment among war-weary voters: If the cost of holding onto every inch of land is endless war and global instability, is it worth it?
Despite the bloodshed, there was a rare prisoner exchange the same weekend as the missile strikes.
Both Russia and Ukraine released over 1,000 prisoners—soldiers and civilians alike.
Still, the battlefield tells a different story.
2024 was the deadliest year yet, with over 45,000 Russian troops killed, according to BBC estimates.
Ukrainian forces are digging in, and Russian retaliation is growing bolder.
The drone attack on Putin has opened a new chapter—one where top leaders are now seen as direct targets.
And with each escalation, the path to peace becomes harder to see.
Trump’s remarks come at a time when the United States continues to provide aid to Ukraine, though scrutiny over that aid is growing.
Trump and his supporters have frequently raised concerns about where the money goes and what, if anything, the U.S. is getting in return.
The Russia-Ukraine war is not just grinding on—it’s escalating.
A failed drone strike on Putin. A massive Russian counterattack. Missiles raining down on cities. Civilians caught in the crossfire.
The war is entering a dangerous new phase.
As 2025 rolls forward, the world is watching—and waiting—to see what leads into whatever comes next.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
