Russia’s Response to a 30-Day Ceasefire Proposed by the US and Ukraine? Over 10,000 Drone Strikes

The United States, Ukraine, and Russia began substantive discussions about negotiations back in March 2025, under pressure from newly elected US President Donald Trump. Ukraine, eager to end the war, immediately agreed to participate. The Kremlin, by contrast, repeatedly delayed the talks.

In May, Moscow reverted to its usual tactics and announced a ceasefire—but only for three days. The so-called truce existed only in the Kremlin’s rhetoric—on the front lines, Russian troops continued their assaults unabated, reported the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The airstrikes on cities were briefly paused for show.

In response, Ukraine proposed a counteroffer: if peace was possible for three days, it should be extended as far as possible. Ukraine called for a 30-day ceasefire that would allow real negotiations to take place without the backdrop of active combat. The US echoed this idea, with President Trump consistently stressing the need to stop the bloodshed.

However, Moscow appeared uninterested—even unwilling—to entertain such a proposal.

Talks did take place in Istanbul on May 15.

Between May 11 and May 15, Russia launched 481 Shahed drones at Ukraine.

By the end of May—while the international community held out hope for a 30-day ceasefire—the Kremlin ordered another 2,493 Shahed drones to be deployed. The intensity of attacks increased, with Russia launching between 200 and 355 drones at a time.

On the night of June 1, Russia conducted what was then the largest aerial assault on Ukrainian territory: 499 Shahed drones and various types of missiles. Over the course of June, Russia launched 5,412 Shaheds, plus nearly a hundred additional missiles of different types.

In just the first nine days of July, Russia fired more than 2,100 Shahed drones and several dozen missiles at Ukrainian civilian areas. Over the last ten days alone, nearly 3,000 aerial weapons have been used.

Since May 15, 2025, Russia has launched 10,892 Shahed drones and nearly 200 cruise and ballistic missiles against Ukraine. In less than two months, Ukraine has faced more missile and drone attacks than any other country in any modern war.

Throughout this time, Russia has shown zero interest in holding further negotiations aimed at achieving even a 30-day ceasefire, instead escalating its strikes on Ukrainian cities. Since May 15, Russia has killed dozens of people in its attacks, injuring over a thousand.

The numbers speak for themselves, clearly indicating which side is more serious about pursuing peace.