Russia Hits Ukraine With Record Drones After Trump Call
PNC _ Friday, 04-07-2025
KYIV / MOSCOW | Planet & Commerce
In the immediate aftermath of a tense and ultimately fruitless phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russia unleashed its largest air assault on Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.
Ukraine’s air defense reported intercepting 476 of 539 drones in a 13-hour overnight bombardment, which also included 11 cruise and ballistic missiles, leaving at least 23 civilians injured, damaging rail infrastructure, setting buildings ablaze, and forcing thousands into underground shelters across Kyiv and other major cities.
Kyiv Faces a Night of Horror
As explosions rocked the capital, residents took shelter in subway stations and parking garages. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called it an "absolutely horrible and sleepless night in Kyiv—one of the worst so far." President Volodymyr Zelensky echoed the sentiment, declaring the assault "one of the most large-scale air attacks" on the country.
Zelensky also made note of the timing:
“The first air raid alerts blared just as reports of the Trump-Putin phone call were emerging. Once again, Russia signals no real interest in ending the war or the terror.”
Trump: “No Progress at All” With Putin
President Trump confirmed that his Thursday call with Putin lasted nearly an hour and covered wide-ranging topics, including the war in Ukraine and tensions with Iran. However, he voiced clear frustration, saying,
“I didn’t make any progress with him today at all.”
He added that he planned to speak with President Zelensky soon and expressed deep disappointment in the outcome of the call. According to Russian state media outlet TASS, Putin reiterated that Russia would not back down from its war objectives, while Trump raised the topic of ending the war “as early as possible.”
US Weapons Freeze Raises Alarm in Kyiv
The timing of the attack is also critical as the Trump administration has paused shipments of key weapons—including air defense systems—to Ukraine following a review of U.S. military aid programs. Trump acknowledged the decision was made to preserve American stockpiles, yet it sparked serious concern in Ukraine.
The U.S. has remained Ukraine’s largest military aid provider since 2022, supplying drones, tanks, air defense systems, and more. However, that support has seen a dramatic shift since Trump’s return to office earlier this year, casting uncertainty over future American backing.
Ukraine’s government warned that any reduction in defense aid would severely weaken its ability to counter Russian missile and drone campaigns, which have escalated in both frequency and scale.
Russian Drones Strike Kyiv, Ukraine Retaliates
The overnight attack caused widespread destruction. Drone fragments ignited fires in six Kyiv districts, setting ablaze warehouses, medical centers, and vehicles. A railway line was damaged, delaying passenger trains by up to two hours, Ukraine’s national railway reported.
In retaliation, Ukraine launched drone strikes into Russian territory, with hits reported in the Moscow and Rostov regions. In the Rostov village of Dolotinka, a Ukrainian drone crash killed a retired teacher, while in Shakhty, a separate drone strike left 2,000 homes without power. In the Moscow district of Sergiyev Posad, four drones caused explosions, injuring two and disrupting power to over 42,000 residents.
Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed it intercepted 48 Ukrainian drones across five regions, including 26 over Rostov.
Civil aviation was also affected, with airports in Volgograd, Kazan, Saratov, Yaroslavl, Samara, and Nizhnekamsk temporarily grounding flights as a safety measure.
550 Missiles and Drones in One Night
Ukrainian officials confirmed that Russia launched a total of 550 aerial weapons, including missiles and drones—a new record since the invasion began.
The Ukrainian military said this latest escalation follows a pattern: a record-setting assault occurred just five days ago, when Russia launched 537 aerial weapons in a single night. Officials now fear these coordinated attacks will continue, especially as diplomatic efforts remain frozen.
Peace Talks Remain Elusive
Since returning to power, Trump has attempted to act as a mediator in the conflict, facilitating early rounds of peace discussions and some prisoner exchanges. However, efforts to achieve even a temporary ceasefire have failed.
Putin recently stated that Russia and Ukraine remain “absolutely contradictory” in their peace demands, further widening the diplomatic chasm.
With weapons support in question, peace talks at a standstill, and aerial warfare reaching new highs, Ukraine faces mounting uncertainty—while Russia signals its intent to continue what it calls a push to resolve the war’s “root causes.”
Trump Pushes Landmark Bill Through After GOP Showdown
PNC _ Friday, 04-07-2025
WASHINGTON D.C. | Planet & Commerce
In a political spectacle that blended marathon negotiations, midnight social media outbursts, and raw executive power, President Donald Trump secured his first major legislative victory of his second term, successfully pushing his massive domestic agenda bill over the finish line.
After nearly 20 hours of personal lobbying, cajoling, and threatening Republican lawmakers, Trump emerged victorious. The bill passed with only two GOP defections—a feat many considered improbable just weeks earlier.
“What are Republicans waiting for??? MAGA IS NOT HAPPY!” Trump posted at 12:00 a.m., as vote counting dragged deep into the night.
By Friday morning, the bill was passed and Trump’s legacy-defining legislation was on its way to his desk—scheduled to be signed during a July 4 ceremony at the White House, complete with a flyover by B-2 bombers that recently conducted strikes on Iranian nuclear targets.
Trump at the Peak of His Power
With a friendly Supreme Court decision expanding executive authority, rising job creation numbers, hardline immigration measures, and foreign policy wins at NATO, Trump now stands as a dominant political force in Washington.
“I think I have more power now, I do,” Trump stated outside Air Force One after the vote.
His supporters see this as the culmination of a disciplined, focused return to the presidency. Even former GOP rival Asa Hutchinson admitted,
“He’s enacting more of his agenda now than in his first term. He knows how to use the office—and he’s backed by the Supreme Court.”
Yet critics warn that Trump’s unrestrained grip over the Republican Party and his strong-arming of U.S. allies abroad resemble the actions of an authoritarian leader unchecked by democratic guardrails.
What’s in the Bill?
The bill, often dubbed “big and beautiful” by Trump, allocates $150 billion for border security and immigration enforcement, another $150 billion for military spending, and a staggering $4.5 trillion in tax cuts over the next decade.
While some of the tax cuts revive expiring provisions from Trump’s first term, others introduce new reliefs—including an end to taxes on overtime and tips, beginning in 2028. These provisions were central to Trump’s 2024 campaign promises.
Critics, however, point to projections that show the bill will add more than $3 trillion to the national debt, with Rand Paul and Elon Musk both warning of a looming fiscal crisis as debt service crowds out essential federal spending.
Medicaid Cuts and Political Risks
Perhaps the most contentious provision in the bill is a $1 trillion cut to Medicaid, the federal health program for low-income Americans. According to the Congressional Budget Office, nearly 12 million Americans could lose coverage over the next decade.
“This bill will betray the promises Trump made,” warned Senator Thom Tillis, who announced his retirement and criticized the cuts as a betrayal to his constituents in North Carolina.
Though the cuts are delayed until after the 2026 midterms, Democrats are already mounting a messaging campaign, accusing Republicans of gutting social programs to fund tax breaks for the wealthy.
“Cruelty, chaos, and corruption,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries during a record-breaking floor speech.
The Omnipresent President
Inside the halls of power, Trump’s presence was felt at every step. From relentless phone calls to backroom meetings, Trump pulled every lever available—dangling rewards and issuing political threats to secure votes.
“He was the omnipresent force behind this legislation,” a White House official said.
While some Republicans balked, Trump used both “carrots and sticks” to seal the deal. Lawmakers were reminded of his ability to back primary challengers, with subtle warnings delivered to those hesitating.
“He won’t tolerate anyone going against his agenda,” said a senior GOP strategist.
Charm Offensive and Final Push
Wednesday marked a shift in tone. Trump invited lawmakers to the White House, where he used humor, praise, and photo ops to sway votes. Yet he remained clear:
“There will be no more changes to the bill,” Trump told them.
Trump promised fiscal hawks he’d use executive authority to enforce phaseouts of green energy tax credits—a major sticking point for final holdouts.
“He did a masterful job,” said Rep. Ralph Norman, who flipped his vote after private assurances.
Risks and Repercussions
Though Trump now celebrates a landmark win, the political fallout may haunt Republicans. If public perception of the bill remains negative, 2026 midterms could be a reckoning.
Even Trump acknowledged the risk:
“I don’t want to go too crazy with cuts,” he said earlier this week.
Republican lawmakers now face the challenge of selling the bill to an uneasy electorate, while Democrats prepare to hammer home the long-term effects.
“We now have to shift to explaining the bill and how it benefits voters,” a White House official admitted.
Trump’s July 4 Bill Signing Ceremony
Trump plans a high-profile Independence Day signing ceremony, touting not only the passage of his agenda but also the restoration of legislative muscle in his second term. For now, he stands victorious—but the true test lies ahead, as America weighs whether this historic bill is a promise fulfilled or a political miscalculation.Though Trump now celebrates a landmark win, the political fallout may haunt Republicans. If public perception of the bill remains negative, 2026 midterms could be a reckoning.
Even Trump acknowledged the risk:
“I don’t want to go too crazy with cuts,” he said earlier this week.
Republican lawmakers now face the challenge of selling the bill to an uneasy electorate, while Democrats prepare to hammer home the long-term effects.
“We now have to shift to explaining the bill and how it benefits voters,” a White House official admitted.
Trump’s July 4 Bill Signing Ceremony
Trump plans a high-profile Independence Day signing ceremony, touting not only the passage of his agenda but also the restoration of legislative muscle in his second term. For now, he stands victorious—but the true test lies ahead, as America weighs whether this historic bill is a promise fulfilled or a political miscalculation.