Russian law enforcement officers inspect the wreckage of a drone next to a burnt-out car in the courtyard of residential buildings following a drone attack in the village of Sofyino, Moscow region, on November 10, 2024. Photo: AFP

By Smartencyclopedia News Desk with Agencies

Moscow & Kyiv – Russia and Ukraine escalated their aerial warfare overnight, deploying record-breaking drone attacks against each other as news of Donald Trump’s U.S. presidential election win raised fresh questions about the trajectory of the nearly three-year-long conflict. The unprecedented intensity of these drone strikes signals a potential shift in the war’s dynamics, with Russia seeing Trump’s victory as a “positive signal” for a possible negotiated end to the fighting.

Record Drone Assaults on Both Sides
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Russia launched a record 145 drones targeting Ukrainian infrastructure, making it the largest nocturnal assault by drone since the conflict began in early 2022. Kyiv’s air defenses intercepted and downed a significant number, but the scale of the attacks has led Zelensky to urge further assistance from Western allies.

On the Russian side, Moscow’s defense ministry claimed that 34 Ukrainian drones targeted the Russian capital early Sunday, marking the most extensive attack on Moscow since the conflict started. Some drones penetrated the Moscow region, damaging homes and injuring civilians, while others triggered temporary airport closures. Governor Andrei Vorobyov called the assault “massive,” underscoring Ukraine’s growing use of long-range unmanned attacks deep within Russian territory.

Trump’s Win and Possible Peace Talks
The Kremlin reacted positively to Trump’s election, suggesting that the new president-elect’s approach could yield a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov highlighted Trump’s “deal-making” rhetoric, which contrasts with the current Biden administration’s strategy of supporting Ukraine with billions in defense aid. Peskov noted that while Trump’s promise of diplomacy is a welcome shift, his unpredictability remains a concern.

“The signals are positive. Trump has talked about peace, rather than imposing a strategic defeat on Russia,” Peskov stated in a televised interview. However, he tempered his optimism by noting that the former president’s unconventional approach to policy means that the path to peace is far from guaranteed.

During his campaign, Trump suggested that he could resolve the conflict “within hours” of taking office, although he has yet to disclose any concrete terms for such a peace agreement. Russia, led by President Vladimir Putin, has repeatedly stated that any potential peace talks would require Ukraine to withdraw from several contested regions.

Zelensky’s Caution
While Trump’s ascension to the presidency raises new diplomatic possibilities, Zelensky voiced strong resistance to any deal that would require concessions to Putin. He cautioned that compromising on Ukraine’s sovereignty or ceding territory would embolden Russia and lead to more aggression in the future. In past statements, Zelensky has asserted that Ukraine’s defense hinges on continued support from Western allies, particularly the U.S., without which, he warned, “Kyiv would lose the conflict.”

Intensified Fighting on the Ground
As diplomatic speculation swirls, the situation on the ground remains volatile. Russia has made its largest territorial gains since early 2022, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), and continues to push eastward, seizing additional Ukrainian villages in recent weeks. Moscow’s defense ministry reported its most recent victory on Sunday, signaling its intent to maintain pressure on Ukrainian forces.

In his daily address, Zelensky praised Ukrainian drone units for their contributions on the front lines and for penetrating Russian defenses, remarking, “Russian military assets are increasingly within reach of our long-range drones.”

What Comes Next?
As Trump prepares for his January inauguration, all eyes are on Washington to see how his administration will approach the conflict. His campaign rhetoric hinted at a more hands-off policy, raising the stakes for both Kyiv and Moscow. With Western support for Ukraine at risk, the coming months may prove decisive in either drawing the conflict toward resolution or pushing it into an uncertain and prolonged phase.

For now, the skies above Russia and Ukraine remain battlegrounds, underscoring the high stakes involved as global political dynamics continue to shift in unpredictable ways.