Russian forces pounded cities across Ukraine overnight in a massive barrage of missiles and drones — just 24 hours after US President Donald Trump warned Vladimir Putin he had 50 days to strike a peace deal or face devastating tariffs. Explosions rocked Kyiv and multiple other regions in the early hours of July 16, with Ukraine’s Air Force issuing repeated warnings of drone and missile strikes across the country, including western oblasts far from the front lines.
The onslaught came after Mr Trump gave Moscow what critics described as an extended window to continue its bombing campaign. Speaking on July 15, he said: “I didn’t think 50 days is very long,” when asked why he had not imposed immediate sanctions on Russia. In Kharkiv, at least 17 explosions were recorded in just 20 minutes, according to regional governor Oleh Syniehubov. A civilian enterprise in the city’s Kyivskyi district was hit by Shahed drones, sparking fires and injuring at least three people.
Further south, in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, the city of Kryvyi Rih was struck by waves of drones, causing widespread power outages, reported the Kyiv Independent. A 17-year-old boy was reported injured, said Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the city’s military administration.
Vinnytsia Oblast was also targeted in the overnight barrage. Eight people were wounded and hospitalised following drone strikes which set two industrial facilities ablaze and damaged four residential buildings, according to the State Emergency Service.
Explosions were additionally reported in the port city of Izmail in Odesa Oblast.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned last week that Russia had launched more than 1,800 long-range drones, 1,200 glide bombs and over 80 missiles of various types in just seven days.
The latest wave of attacks follows what Ukrainian officials described as the largest assault of the war to date on July 9, when Russia launched more than 700 Shahed-type drones and decoys alongside cruise and ballistic missiles.
Mr Trump’s 50-day ultimatum — unveiled in a so-called “major statement” on July 14 — threatens stiff tariffs on Russian energy exports unless Moscow agrees a peace deal.
However, Putin has shown no sign of backing down, demanding Kyiv surrender four regions illegally annexed in 2022, abandon its NATO ambitions, and accept restrictions on its armed forces — red lines Ukraine has flatly rejected.
On the ground, Russian troops continue to make slow and costly gains in Donetsk, inching closer to Pokrovsk and Kostyantynivka in an effort to encircle Ukrainian defences.
Military analysts say any significant breakthrough within 50 days remains unlikely.
Despite the renewed offensive, Ukrainian forces — under-equipped and outnumbered — are holding the line with the help of drones and incoming weapons from European NATO allies.
However, continued delays in US arms shipments have added pressure, with Kyiv forced to ration ammunition.
Jack Watling of the Royal United Services Institute warned: “Russia’s summer offensive is likely to put the armed forces of Ukraine under intense pressure. Europe must step up quickly if Ukraine is to hold the line.”
