Russia Launches Hundreds of Drones, Missiles on Ukraine as It Backpedals on Negotiations

Latest Developments

Russia Barrages Western Ukraine: Russia launched one of its heaviest drone and missile barrages against Ukraine on the night of August 21 as the United States and European allies continued to push for a diplomatic solution to the conflict. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the Russian attack included 574 drones and 40 missiles, mostly targeting Ukraine’s western regions, including the city of Lviv in the far west. While most of the drones and missiles were intercepted by Ukrainian defenses, one person was killed and 15 more were reported injured. Two of the missiles struck a U.S.-owned civilian electronics factory. “Russia continues to destroy and humiliate US businesses in Ukraine,” declared Andy Hunder, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine.
Russia Throws Cold Water on Trump’s Peace Plans: The Trump administration’s push for a diplomatic settlement suffered a setback this week as Russia threw cold water on what administration officials had touted as a breakthrough. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov demanded that Russia be given a veto over possible security guarantees that would be provided to Ukraine as an alternative to NATO membership under a peace deal. “We will safeguard our legitimate interests in a firm and harsh manner,” Lavrov said. “Seriously discussing issues of ensuring security without the Russian Federation is a utopia and a path to nowhere.” Moscow is also resisting President Donald Trump’s efforts to arrange a meeting between Russian President Valdimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with Lavrov saying that such a meeting should be prepared “gradually … starting with the expert level and thereafter going through all the required steps.”
‘Impossible to Win Without Attacking’: In a Truth Social post following the Russian barrage, Trump appeared to raise the prospect of allowing Ukraine to strike inside Russian territory with U.S. weapons. “It is very hard, if not impossible, to win a war without attacking an invader’s country. It’s like a great team in sports that has a fantastic defense, but is not allowed to play offense,” Trump stated, blaming his predecessor for not allowing Ukraine to “FIGHT BACK.” Fearing escalation, President Joe Biden’s administration restricted the use of U.S. intelligence and weapons to strike military targets inside Russian territory from the start of the Russian invasion until November 2024.

FDD Expert Response

“Words are cheap for Putin, and actions speak louder than words. Each time we negotiate with Russia, Putin attacks Ukraine with even greater venom. That tells us that his ultimate goal is not a long-term peace, but to completely subjugate Ukraine. Putin’s barrages also aim to demoralize Ukrainians and convince them that a Russian victory is inevitable. The good news is Ukraine is not falling for Putin’s tricks.” — Ivana Stradner, Research Fellow

“By going to Alaska to meet with Trump, Putin calculated that he was winning more at the negotiating table than he could on the battlefield. However, by refusing to drop his maximalist demands for Ukrainian territory, he has demonstrated to Trump that he’s not dealing in good faith. Post-summit, Trump and his team have shown that they see the Ukrainians as wanting a just peace, and the Kremlin is the obstacle. President Trump is right when he suggests that Ukraine will need to do more than just ‘defend’ itself. It looks like the gloves may be coming off to allow Ukraine more offensive leeway.” — Peter Doran, Adjunct Senior Fellow

“President Trump hit on an important point: Ukraine needs to be able to take the fight to Russia. Long-range strikes on military and military-industrial sites inside Russia could help Ukrainian forces stymie Moscow’s ongoing ground offensive, reduce the number of missiles and drones Russia can launch at Ukraine, and impose higher costs on the Kremlin for continuing its unprovoked war. Trump should consider supplying Kyiv with additional ATACMS as well as longer-range missiles that can strike deeper in Russia.” — John Hardie, Russia Program Deputy Director