Kyiv: On Friday morning, Russia carried out another drone attack on Odessa. The Ukrainian army's territorial recruitment center and residential buildings were hit, local media reported. A day earlier, at least two people were killed in a massive overnight attack that targeted several districts in the capital, Kyiv. Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported an ambulance station was destroyed.

According to Deutsche Welle, the damage is part of a series of sweeping combined attacks, including what Ukrainian media called a "night from hell" in Kyiv on July 4. During this attack, the Russian army deployed more than 500 drones, in addition to Kinzhal and Iskander missiles. This escalation is attributed to Russia's increased drone production, allowing it to conduct such extensive operations without relying on Iranian supplies as it did in 2022. Military technology expert David Hambling noted that Russia is now producing thousands of drones monthly, potentially reaching tens of thousands, overwhelming most defense systems.

However, Colonel Markus Reisner from the Austrian Armed Forces emphasized that Russia's capacity to conduct these attacks is supported by other countries. China supplies drone parts, and North Korea delivers ballistic missiles, showcasing Russia's reliance on external support.

Following the recent attack on Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told news portal NV that the intensified shelling reflects President Putin's desire for the Ukrainian population to suffer and flee, witnessing destruction not just on the front lines but throughout the country. The New York Times, citing sources close to the Kremlin, reported that Russia's strategy aims to break Ukraine's defenses in the coming months.

Colonel Reisner outlined Putin's dual strategic objectives: crippling Ukraine's military-industrial complex and weakening the Ukrainian public through targeted attacks, thereby indirectly pressuring the government. German political scientist Andreas Heinemann-Grüder and other military experts anticipate a new Russian offensive this summer, viewing the increasing combined attacks as part of this campaign. Heinemann-Grüder further suggested that Russia's goal is to incapacitate Ukrainian air defenses, potentially paving the way for a "decisive battle" and forcing Ukraine to acquiesce to the Kremlin's demands by year's end.

Experts who spoke to Deutsche Welle stressed the necessity of more decisive Western action to regain control on the battlefield. At the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome, Zelenskyy highlighted Ukraine's progress in producing its own drones but emphasized the urgent need for investment in the defense sector. Colonel Reisner stated that Ukraine requires Western support, particularly in acquiring special weapons systems like the Patriot anti-aircraft missiles.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that Germany is prepared to purchase Patriot systems from the US for Ukraine. Political scientist Heinemann-Grüder cautioned that Western concerns over weapons potentially falling into Russian hands must be addressed. Overcoming the fear of losing technological advantages and the economic implications of joint ventures with Ukraine are crucial for providing effective aid.