US President Trump stated on Monday (July 7) that the US “must” provide more weapons to Ukraine to assist in its self-defense. This decision overturns the Pentagon’s previous decision to temporarily halt the delivery of air defense missiles and precision artillery to Ukraine due to inventory pressures.
“We have to do this,” Trump told the media. “They (Ukraine) must be able to defend themselves.”
At the time of this statement, Russian airstrikes hit the second largest city in Ukraine, Kharkiv, injuring at least 27 people. The Ukrainian government reported that just on Monday alone, Russian military strikes had caused at least 11 civilian deaths and over 80 injuries, including 7 children.
Ukrainian President Zelensky revealed that over the past week, Russia launched around 1,270 drones, 39 missiles, and nearly a thousand glide bombs, heavily bombing civilian areas in Ukraine. With a front line stretching 1,000 kilometers, the Ukrainian military is under intense defensive pressure and facing shortages in manpower.
Zelensky emphasized on Telegram on Monday: “Air defense capability is key to protecting lives,” and announced the signing of a contract with European allies and a US defense company to significantly increase the production of drones, aiming to acquire hundreds of thousands by the end of the year, including defense models capable of intercepting Iran-made “Shahed” suicide drones.
On the same day, Russian forces continued to attack the Ukrainian military mobilization center, marking the third attack on the facility within five days, suspected to disrupt Ukrainian conscription efforts. Ukraine reported civilian casualties in cities including Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia in the south, Donetsk in the east, and Sumy in the north, with 71 injured in Kharkiv alone.
Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed to have shot down 91 Ukrainian drones overnight Monday, covering 13 regions, the Black Sea, and the Crimean Peninsula.
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comments on whether military aid to Ukraine will be resumed.
(This article referenced relevant reports from the Associated Press)