Russia is attempting to trade business cooperation with the US in exchange for concessions in its war against Kyiv. At the same time, Moscow relentlessly attacks civilians, killing women and children with record numbers of drones, demanding Ukraine’s surrender, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports. 

“The Kremlin continues efforts to use its diplomatic engagements with the United States in an effort to divert attention from the war in Ukraine and toward the potential restoration of US-Russian relations,” experts conclude.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry’s statement on the Rubio-Lavrov meeting, they discussed bilateral US-Russia issues unrelated to the war in Ukraine, including the restoration of contacts, economic and humanitarian cooperation, direct air travel, and the work of diplomatic missions.

The Russian Foreign Ministry also said that the US and Russia will continue dialogue on a “growing range of issues of mutual interest.”

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said on 10 July that he sees no slowdown in the development of US-Russia relations.

The day before the meeting, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova reaffirmed Russia’s initial military demands for regime change in Ukraine and demilitarization. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov again stated that Moscow insists on recognizing the “realities on the ground.”

“Kremlin officials’ public statements continue to demonstrate that Russia remains committed to achieving its original war goals in Ukraine and is not interested in good faith negotiations to end the war, however,” the ISW writes. 

The analysts emphasize that Kremlin officials often urge Ukraine to accept the “realities on the ground,” meaning the current frontline in Ukraine, implying Russia holds a stronger negotiating position due to the battlefield situation. They also demand that Ukraine concede to Russian demands to change its government, stop arms deliveries, and reduce its army.

Russian forces conducted a large-scale aerial assault on Ukrainian territory during the night of 25 June, deploying 71 drones of various types against multiple regions, according to Ukraine’s Air Force. The attacks resulted in civilian casualties and significant damage to residential areas across three oblasts.

Military officials reported neutralizing 52 of the 71 attacking drones across eastern, northern, and southern regions of the country.

Defense forces destroyed 32 drones through direct engagement, while electronic warfare systems suppressed or caused the loss of an additional 20 unmanned aircraft.

Russian attack injures nine civilians in Kharkiv 

The eastern city of Kharkiv experienced explosions during the overnight assault, with Russian strike drones targeting civilian enterprises and residential areas, according to Head of Kharkiv Regional Military Administration Oleh Syniehubov.

Drone strikes hit a civilian enterprise in the city’s Kyiv district, while the Shevchenkivskyi district saw a three-story residential building catch fire. Additional fires erupted in two residential buildings, though one of the affected structures remained unoccupied.

In the Kharkiv Oblast city of Kupiansk, a guided aerial bomb strike damaged a nine-story residential building and injured five civilians, who are receiving medical treatment.

Regional officials reported that during the previous 24-hour period, Russian attacks affected Kharkiv city and five settlements throughout the oblasts, resulting in nine civilian injuries.

Zaporizhzhia experiences 469 strikes in last 24 hours

Russian forces launched four separate strikes against the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia after midnight, targeting private residential sectors and causing injuries to two civilians, according to Regional Military Administration head Ivan Fedorov. The missile attacks damaged nine houses, outbuildings, and vehicles in the targeted areas.

Zaporizhzhia city is located close to the frontline and some parts of the region are occupied.

Medical officials reported that two men, aged 31 and 35, sustained injuries during the assault. One victim required hospitalization and remains in moderate condition. In total, five civilians were wounded in the region.

Zaporizhzhia Oblast under Ukrainian control experienced intense bombardment throughout the day, with occupying forces conducting 469 strikes against 13 settlements. 

Speaking at the G7 summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy argued that Russia intensified its nightly aerial campaigns as the primary tactical adjustment since Donald Trump returned to the White House, with drone swarms becoming routine rather than exceptional.

According to Zelenskyy, Russia now routinely deploys 100 drones per night against Ukrainian targets, a scale that would have been shocking a year ago.

“If last year the use of 100 ‘Shaheds’ in one night caused real shock, now it already seems unusual if fewer than 100 drones are used in one attack,” the Ukrainian leader stated.

The president characterized this intensification as “the only real change in Russia’s behavior after the change of US president,” suggesting Moscow has adapted its military strategy to the new political landscape in Washington.

“And it proves that those who support new and stronger sanctions against Russia are absolutely right,” Zelenskyy added.

Meanwhile, during the G7 leaders meeting in Canada, Trump told reporters he would not approve new sanctions against Russia, citing them as costly for the US and still expressing hope for a potential peace deal.

The Ukrainian president, however, addressed stalled diplomatic efforts, noting that while the US and President Trump had proposed ceasefires and negotiations, “Russia blocked all efforts.” He urged continued pressure on Trump to leverage his influence with Putin to end the war.

Zelenskyy argued that Russia continues its military operations without facing adequate consequences, making the case for stronger international sanctions.

He specifically called on G7 members to work with the United States to implement a $30 per barrel price cap on Russian oil and to maintain $40 billion in annual budget support for Ukraine.

“Together, we must make this painful for Russia. The EU’s 18th round of sanctions should also hit Russia’s energy and banking sectors,” Zelenskyy said.

The United States, however, is blocking European efforts to lower the G7 price cap on Russian oil from $60 to $45 per barrel, despite EU and UK pressure to reduce Moscow’s war funding. The proposed reduction is part of Europe’s latest sanctions package aimed at cutting deeper into Russian oil profits used to finance the Ukraine invasion, but the final decision rests with President Trump, who has shown no flexibility on the issue.