President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that Russian forces attacked 16 Ukrainian provinces with 144 missiles and nearly 2,000 drones over the last seven days. These strikes caused severe damage, destroying about 1,600 facilities, including homes and civilian infrastructure.
The barrage involved a mix of ballistic and cruise missiles, paired with massive drone swarms, marking a sharp rise in Russia’s strike tempo. Ukrainian air defenses, bolstered by Western support, have been working intensively to intercept these relentless attacks, highlighting the intensity of the ongoing aerial conflict.
This escalation coincides with doubts around Ukraine’s plans to recapture Crimea by the end of 2026, which has seen market confidence wane amid the sustained Russian offensive. Observers are watching the frontline closely, especially potential shifts in Crimea and Donetsk, as new developments could alter the strategic balance and influence market expectations.
