Kyiv, Ukraine – As Russia ramps up air attacks across Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to meet former US President Donald Trump to discuss the provision of Tomahawk cruise missiles and other advanced weapons, amid a critical phase in the Donetsk offensive.

Russia Launches New Wave of Air Attacks

Ukrainian authorities report that Russia has intensified air strikes to compensate for difficulties in breaking Ukrainian defenses on the ground. Zelenskyy told NATO’s 71st Parliamentary Assembly on October 13 that:

“Russia has started a new wave of air terror against Ukraine – against our cities and civilian infrastructure.”

The attacks include 465 drones and 19 missiles targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Ukrainian forces successfully downed most of these, but power outages still affected over 750,000 citizens, causing casualties, including the death of a seven-year-old boy.

Cold autumn weather has reportedly reduced the effectiveness of Ukraine’s air defenses by 20–30%, which Zelenskyy claims Russia exploited deliberately.

Ukraine’s Ground Counteroffensive in Donetsk

On the frontlines, Russia is seeking to capture the entirety of Donetsk, but Ukrainian resistance remains strong. In Dobropillia, Ukrainian forces have reclaimed 181 sq km (70 sq miles) of territory since late August, inflicting 12,000 Russian casualties, including 7,000 deaths, according to Kyiv officials.

The strategic city of Pokrovsk, with a pre-war population of 60,000, remains in Ukrainian hands despite repeated Russian mechanized assaults. Analysts note that Russia has temporarily reverted to high-casualty mechanized attacks in early October, demonstrating urgency to secure Donetsk.

Diplomatic Efforts and Military Requests

Zelenskyy has consulted multiple world leaders, including officials from Germany, Canada, the UK, France, and the EU, to secure additional air defenses and weapons systems. Germany recently pledged €2.3 billion ($2.7bn) in weapons and air defense equipment, including Patriot interceptors and IRIS-T systems, while Poland offered electricity support and LNG terminal services.

Ahead of his Friday meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy dispatched Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko to Washington to finalize discussions about advanced US weaponry, including long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles with a 2,500 km (1,550-mile) range.

Ukraine’s Precision Strikes on Russian Fuel and Infrastructure

Ukraine has continued targeted operations against Russian fuel supplies, striking the Lukoil Korobkovsky Gas Processing Plant in Volgograd and an oil depot in Feodosia, Crimea. These attacks aim to disrupt fuel for Russian occupying forces in Crimea, Zaporizhia, and Kharkiv.

Reports indicate US intelligence support in selecting targets and planning strikes, though Ukraine primarily uses domestically produced drones. Zelenskyy emphasized that such strikes are “absolutely fair” defensive measures.

Russia’s Warnings on Tomahawk Deployment

Russia has strongly warned against supplying Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s National Security Council, described their delivery as dangerous and potentially destabilizing, stating that it could have consequences for the US and regional security.

Implications for the Ukraine War

The ongoing escalation in Donetsk and intensification of Russian air attacks highlight the protracted nature of the war. Zelenskyy’s diplomatic engagement with Trump and other allies underscores Ukraine’s urgent need for advanced military support to defend key cities, protect civilian infrastructure, and push back Russian advances.