By John Q. Hosedrinker 
On July 4, 2025, Kyiv was hit by a record-breaking seven-hour barrage of Russian missiles and drones, resulting in at least two deaths and 26 injuries. The attack damaged residential buildings, infrastructure, and civilian areas, with fires breaking out across the city. The strikes also targeted other regions of Ukraine, including Poltava, and came shortly after a phone call between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. Ukrainian officials noted the attacks were aimed at terrorizing civilians and wearing down their air defense systems.
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Nothing but terror and murder — Russia pounds Kyiv with record overnight drone, missile attack, 2 dead, 26 injured. This is the stark reality that paints a horrifying picture of the latest Russian assault on the Ukrainian capital. It’s a chilling reminder of the relentless brutality and the deliberate targeting of civilians that has become a grim hallmark of this ongoing conflict. The sheer scale of the attack, described as a record-breaking barrage of drones and missiles, speaks volumes about Russia’s intentions – to sow fear, inflict pain, and disrupt the very fabric of Ukrainian life.
These attacks are, without a doubt, acts of psychological terrorism. They are carefully orchestrated to maximize the impact on the civilian population. The chosen time of the attacks, in the dead of night, is no coincidence. It’s designed to rob people of their sleep, to instill a constant sense of dread, and to make every moment a question of survival. Children waking up in terror, families huddling together, wondering if this will be the last night they spend together – this is the intended outcome of these calculated strikes.
The phrase “absolute demonic behavior” is a harsh but probably accurate assessment of the attacks. It is difficult to find words that properly reflect the true horror of these events. To deliberately target civilians, to inflict such suffering on innocent people, speaks to a complete disregard for human life. This is not a military operation; this is a campaign of terror. The attacks are especially horrific because they are carried out under the cover of darkness.
Given the scope of the attack, 2 dead and 26 injured could almost be considered a shockingly low number. However, that should in no way diminish the gravity of the situation. Any loss of life, any injury sustained, is a tragedy. Each person represents a life cut short, a family devastated, a community shattered. We are all in this together. Let’s also consider that the physical damage of infrastructure is equally troubling. Buildings destroyed, homes ruined – all of this is a part of the overall devastation, a part of the Russian aim to destabilize Ukraine and to crush its spirit.
It is important to contrast this with the restraint that Ukraine has shown. They have consistently targeted military objectives. Russia, on the other hand, continues to engage in soft targets. The world is simply watching. The reaction from some quarters of the West has felt like weak condemnation, “well that’s naughty isn’t it?” This lack of decisive action is a disappointment to many.
There is a feeling that silence is seen as consent. The longer the world stands by, the worse the situation in Ukraine will become. There is an intense feeling of frustration and betrayal that some are not stepping forward to help. There is a sense of disappointment in the rest of the world, and of the international bodies created for the very purpose of preventing these atrocities.
The international community needs to recognize the Russians as terrorists. They are intentionally killing civilians every day. This needs to be the official stance, and it needs to be supported by strong action, not just words. We must do everything in our power to support Ukraine, to provide them with the means to defend themselves.
The idea of allowing Ukraine to retaliate in kind, to strike back at Moscow, is something that has its proponents. Of course, this raises ethical and strategic complexities. But it is hard to deny the raw emotional force behind such an idea, given the constant threat and the blatant attacks on Ukraine.
These attacks come after three straight nights of missile strikes. The lack of any immediate response is quite concerning. Are people not seeing the true gravity of the situation? Two dead and twenty-six wounded is not enough for some? This is the heartbreaking reality that faces the Ukrainian people.
The response also highlights the disparity in how certain international issues are handled. The same pattern of silence, of what appears to be complicity, can be seen in other conflicts as well. This disparity cannot be tolerated.