The Russia-Ukraine war has entered a brutal new phase. In July 2025, Russia unleashed its largest-ever aerial assault on Kyiv, a sign of its growing dominance on the battlefield. But how did we get here?

Russia launched a record number of drones at Ukraine overnight into Friday, striking multiple buildings and residential areas, hours after US President Donald Trump said he had made “no progress” towards a ceasefire deal in a phone call with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

President Trump said he was "very disappointed" by a call with Vladimir Putin and that he did not think the Russian leader wanted to end the war in Ukraine.