The Ukrainian government has responded with alarm and urgency to the Trump administration’s decision to halt certain weapons shipments—notably Patriot air-defense missiles, GMLRS rockets, and Hellfire missiles.
The war in Ukraine continues to escalate. Overnight on July 3, Russia and Ukraine engaged in military strikes, drone warfare, and diplomatic maneuvering. Fighting remains concentrated in eastern and central Ukraine. Notably, Russia launched an attack against Poltava, a city in central Ukraine, while Ukraine responded with the launch of significant drone strikes deep within Russian territory. On the diplomatic side, Ukraine is reeling from the United States’ decision to freeze weapons shipments, while President Trump and President Putin conducted a one-hour phone call.
Ukraine and Russia Have Exchanged Drone Strikes
The deadliest interaction of the overnight period may have occurred in Poltava, a city in central Ukraine, where Russian missile strikes resulted in two civilian deaths and 11 injuries. According to Ukrainian officials, the missile attack struck a military recruitment office and nearby residential buildings. The attack seems to represent a shift in Russia’s targeting strategy, as Poltava had been quiet until last night. Additionally, targeting a military recruitment office seems low-stakes and easier to replace than critical energy or military infrastructure.
Ukraine was also busy launching its own attack. The Russian Ministry of Defense claims to have intercepted and destroyed 69 Ukrainian drones, mainly at the border regions, en route to targets deep within Russia. However, not all of the drones were intercepted. In the city of Lipetsk in southwestern Russia, drone debris killed a woman in her 70s and injured two other civilians after striking residential buildings. The attack is consistent with Ukraine’s recent strategy, which relies on launching drones with increased frequency at targets deep inside Russia. Overnight, one Ukrainian drone reportedly hit a Russian ammunition depot in Khartsyzsk, an occupied city in Ukraine’s Donetsk region. Ukrainian intelligence reported that the resulting explosion caused secondary blasts, which lasted for hours, and significantly impacted Russian stockpiles.
The Trump Administration Is Cutting Off Weapons to Ukraine
The Ukrainian government has responded with alarm and urgency to the Trump administration’s decision to halt certain weapons shipments—notably Patriot air-defense missiles, GMLRS rockets, and Hellfire missiles. Ukraine has summoned the US charge d’affaires in Kyiv to formally protest the freeze. President Zelenskyy is expected to speak directly with President Donald Trump to ask that he reverse the decision.
Trump, for his part, spoke with President Putin during a one-hour phone call, which focused primarily on the war and regional dynamics involving Iran. According to Russian state media, Putin was “unyielding” with respect to Russian military objectives, making no indication of retreat or compromise. Trump did not indicate whether he would commit to providing future support to Ukraine, an ambiguity that has concerned the Western-aligned international community; incumbent NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said that Ukraine will not be able to hold without US backing, urging Washington to resume full-scale military support.
In sum, the overnight period, and indeed the last few days, have demonstrated the increasing complexity of the war, with both military and diplomatic fronts evolving rapidly. The next few days are likely to feature more high-stakes diplomacy, including more foreign involvement, and shifting momentum on the battlefield. Expect Russia to continue launching overnight missile and drone swarms, designed to overwhelm Ukrainian air defense systems, which may be stretched to the limit without incoming shipments of US weaponry. And expect Ukraine to continue launching drone strikes deep within Russian territory.
About the Author: Harrison Kass
Harrison Kass is a Senior Defense and National Security Writer at The National Interest. Kass is an attorney and former political candidate who joined the US Air Force as a pilot trainee before being medically discharged. He focuses on military strategy, aerospace, and global security affairs. He holds a JD from the University of Oregon and a master’s in Global Journalism and International Relations from NYU.
Image: Shutterstock / paparazzza.
