Another Massive Attack on Ukraine, Trump Criticizes Zelensky: December 7, 2025 Analysis

The Russia-Ukraine conflict reached a new level of complexity and danger on December 7, 2025, as three parallel crises converged: Russia launched another massive aerial bombardment within 36 hours of the previous attack, President Donald Trump publicly criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for allegedly not reading the US peace proposal, and international nuclear inspectors confirmed that Chornobyl's protective radiation shield has permanently lost its safety functions. This comprehensive analysis examines these developments and their implications for the war's trajectory.

Russia's Second Massive Attack in 36 Hours

Russia deployed 241 drones and five missiles against Ukrainian targets overnight into December 7, marking the second large-scale bombardment within two days. While smaller than the December 6 attack that involved 704 munitions, this strike demonstrated Moscow's capacity to sustain intensive operations even during active peace negotiations. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted approximately 175 drones and four missiles, achieving a 72 percent success rate, but 65 drones and one missile reached their targets across 14 locations.

The industrial city of Kremenchuk in central Ukraine bore the heaviest impact, with Russian forces deploying dozens of drones along with hypersonic Kinzhal missiles and Iskander tactical ballistic missiles against the city's thermal power plant and oil refinery. The attack caused catastrophic damage, triggering widespread interruptions in water supply, heating, and electricity that affected hundreds of thousands of residents entering harsh winter conditions. Ukrainian monitoring channels reported at least three Kinzhal impacts, indicating Russia employed some of its most advanced and expensive munitions for this specific mission.

Fastiv railway station in the Kyiv region was struck for the second time in less than 48 hours, representing systematic destruction of transportation infrastructure. Ukraine's railway authority reported massive shelling of railway facilities across multiple locations, confirming that Russia is executing a deliberate campaign to degrade Ukraine's logistical capabilities. President Zelensky characterized these attacks on railway stations as militarily senseless given their civilian function, but from a Russian perspective, degrading rail capacity forces Ukraine to rely more heavily on road transport, which is more vulnerable to drone interdiction.

The cumulative effect of two massive attacks within 36 hours inflicted severe damage to Ukraine's power grid. For the first time in recent months, rolling blackouts were imposed across all Ukrainian regions simultaneously, with Kyiv residents experiencing approximately 12 hours without electricity. The Ministry of Energy reported that operating nuclear power plants reduced output for safety reasons, creating additional strain on the already damaged grid.

TensionWarIndex for December 7, 2025: 162

Daily Change: +5 points from previous day's 157

Primary Drivers: Second massive attack within 36 hours, unprecedented public US-Ukraine diplomatic rupture, Chornobyl protective shield confirmed permanently compromised, European emergency solidarity meeting scheduled, sustained intensive combat operations.

Trump's Public Criticism Creates US-Ukraine Diplomatic Crisis

The most alarming development on December 7 occurred in the diplomatic domain. President Trump publicly stated he is "disappointed" that President Zelensky hasn't read the US peace proposal, claiming "his people love it but he hasn't" and "Russia is fine with it." Trump made these comments to reporters at a Kennedy Center event, marking an unprecedented public criticism of Ukraine's leader by the United States at a moment when Kyiv depends critically on American military and financial support.

This characterization conflicts sharply with Zelensky's own statements from hours earlier. On December 6, the Ukrainian president described his phone call with US officials Witkoff and Kushner as "long and substantive," "very focused, constructive" and covering "many aspects" of ending the war. Zelensky thanked Trump "for such an intensive approach to negotiations," language that suggests a fundamentally different perception of the negotiation process than Trump's subsequent criticism implies.

The public nature of Trump's disappointment represents a sharp departure from diplomatic discretion that typically characterizes great power mediation efforts. By voicing his criticism publicly rather than through private channels, Trump either deliberately applied public pressure on Ukraine or signaled a loss of patience with the negotiation process. His assertion that "Russia is fine with it" regarding the US peace plan suggests Moscow has signaled acceptance of core elements while Ukraine expresses reservations—a configuration that gives Russia diplomatic leverage by positioning Moscow as reasonable while portraying Ukraine as obstructionist.

European leaders responded swiftly by scheduling an emergency meeting for December 9 in London, where British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will meet with Zelensky in a show of solidarity. This rapid response signals deep concern about potential American abandonment of Ukraine and reflects broader anxieties about Trump's approach to ending the war. French President Macron's office indicated the leaders would "take stock together of the situation and the ongoing negotiations within the framework of American mediation," diplomatic language that carefully avoids direct criticism of Washington while asserting European agency in shaping any eventual peace settlement.

The Kremlin's warm reception of Trump's new National Security Strategy, released December 6, provides additional context. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov characterized the document as "largely in line with Moscow's vision," noting with approval its statements "against confrontation and in favor of dialogue." This Russian endorsement suggests the Kremlin perceives an opportunity to achieve favorable peace terms through diplomatic engagement with the Trump administration, particularly if Washington can be induced to pressure Ukraine into concessions.

Chornobyl's Protective Shield Loses Safety Functions

The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed on December 7 that Chornobyl's New Safe Confinement structure has "lost its primary safety functions, including the confinement capability" following a February 14 drone strike. This represents the first official acknowledgment that the world's worst nuclear disaster site no longer has reliable protection against radioactive material spread.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated that while the protective structure's load-bearing steel arch remains structurally sound and monitoring systems continue functioning, the "confinement capability" has been compromised. This means the structure can no longer reliably contain radioactive dust and particles that could escape through breaches in protective cladding damaged by the drone strike and subsequent fire. While current radiation levels remain normal with no reports of leaks, the compromised confinement means future events—extreme weather, structural degradation, or additional attacks—could result in radioactive material escaping the containment zone.

The February 14 drone strike occurred at approximately 1:50 a.m. when a HESA Shahed-136 Iranian-designed UAV struck the NSC's roof above Reactor 4, causing a major fire. Ukrainian emergency services extinguished the fire and carried out temporary repairs, but the IAEA's assessment indicates these measures are insufficient to restore safety functions. The agency emphasized that "timely and comprehensive restoration remains essential to prevent further degradation and ensure long-term nuclear safety."

The original New Safe Confinement structure cost €2.1 billion, funded by contributions from more than 45 donor countries. Comprehensive restoration will require specialized engineering, radiation-resistant materials, and extensive safety protocols—all extremely difficult to implement in an active war zone. The IAEA has indicated that full restoration cannot occur until the war ends, meaning the site will remain vulnerable to further degradation indefinitely.

This revelation adds to ongoing nuclear safety concerns at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which experienced its eleventh complete loss of external power on December 6. The persistent vulnerability of both Europe's largest nuclear facility and the Chornobyl disaster site creates cumulative nuclear safety risks that transcend any single incident.

Ukrainian Counter-Strikes Maintain Pressure on Russia

Despite absorbing massive bombardments, Ukrainian forces demonstrated sustained capability to strike Russian territory. On December 7, Ukrainian drones attacked targets in Saratov and Rostov oblasts, with Russia reporting the interception of 77 Ukrainian drones overnight—42 over Saratov region alone. The attack targeted both Saratov city and Engels-2 strategic bomber base, which houses Tu-160 and Tu-95MS nuclear-capable bombers that conduct long-range cruise missile strikes against Ukraine.

Drones flew low over the Volga River to evade radar detection, with local residents reporting explosions that "shook the walls." The all-clear was not issued until 7:30 a.m., indicating a sustained aerial threat lasting several hours. An oil depot in Saratov Oblast was also reportedly struck. The targeting of Engels airfield holds particular strategic significance as it serves as a primary base for Russian strategic aviation conducting strikes against Ukraine, and previous Ukrainian attacks in December 2022 demonstrated Kyiv's capability to strike deep into Russian territory.

Frontline Dynamics: Grinding Advances Continue

On the ground, Russian forces continued incremental territorial gains in eastern Ukraine. Russian military channels reported strengthened positions in the Pokrovsk-Mirnograd area, expanded control zones in Seversk, and operations on the outskirts of Hulyaipole. The December 2 Russian claim of capturing Pokrovsk—disputed by Ukrainian authorities—represents Moscow's most significant territorial objective, as this logistics hub controls critical road and rail lines across Donetsk Oblast.

Ukrainian military spokesman Viktor Trehubov characterized the frontline as transformed by ubiquitous drone warfare, noting that "the line of combat contact as such is absent in most sectors of the front: it has turned into a wide strip of a conditional 'gray zone' controlled by UAVs on both sides." This description captures how traditional linear fronts have dissolved into contested zones where neither side can safely mass forces due to constant drone surveillance and attack.

President Zelensky provided statistics showing Russia launched over 1,600 attack drones, approximately 1,200 guided aerial bombs, and nearly 70 missiles in one week—an unprecedented sustained intensity placing enormous strain on Ukrainian defenses, infrastructure, and logistics. Russia's ability to maintain such operational tempo while engaging in peace negotiations suggests Moscow views military pressure as integral to diplomatic strategy rather than something to reduce during negotiations.

Strategic Implications

December 7, 2025 marked a dangerous inflection point where military intensification, diplomatic crisis, and nuclear safety concerns converged. The TensionWarIndex increase from 157 to 162 positions the conflict at the highest level in recent months, approaching the upper boundary of the full-scale war zone. The day's developments represent a qualitative shift beyond mere tactical escalation.

The diplomatic dimension is particularly alarming. Trump's public criticism of Zelensky creates unprecedented tension in the US-Ukraine relationship at a moment when Western unity is essential. The rapid European response scheduling an emergency London meeting demonstrates deep concern about potential American abandonment of Ukraine. If European leaders offer concrete commitments, this could partially offset the psychological impact of Trump's criticism. However, if the meeting produces only general statements without substantive new commitments, it will signal to the Kremlin that Western resolve may be weakening.

The US-Ukraine relationship faces a dangerous period where mutual frustration could escalate into genuine breach. Trump's criticism creates domestic political pressure within the United States for more forceful measures to compel Ukrainian flexibility. Congressional Republicans may begin questioning continued military aid, while Democrats may rally to Ukraine's defense, creating partisan division where bipartisan consensus previously existed.

For Russia, December 7 creates significant diplomatic opportunities. Visible US-Ukraine tension allows Moscow to position itself as more reasonable while portraying Ukraine as obstructionist. The Kremlin's warm reception of Trump's National Security Strategy reinforces this positioning, suggesting Russia is prepared to improve relations with Washington if the United States adopts a more "realistic" approach—accepting Russian territorial gains and limiting Ukraine's Western integration.

The nuclear safety dimension will remain a persistent background concern that periodically spikes into acute crisis. The IAEA's monitoring provides valuable early warning but cannot prevent nuclear safety degradation. Without comprehensive agreements on nuclear safety protection zones, risks will continue accumulating. Each additional incident may not be catastrophic in isolation, but cumulative effects degrade safety margins and increase probability that some future incident will exceed containment thresholds.

RISK & OUTLOOK INDICATORS

Escalation Risk Factors: Second massive attack within 36 hours demonstrates sustained Russian campaign intensity, unprecedented public US-Ukraine diplomatic rupture undermining Western coalition cohesion, Chornobyl protective shield permanently compromised creating long-term nuclear safety vulnerability, Kremlin perceiving diplomatic momentum shifting in its favor, Trump's public criticism potentially emboldening Russian maximalist positions.

De-escalation Factors: European leaders rapidly scheduling emergency solidarity meeting with Zelensky, continued diplomatic engagement despite tensions, Ukrainian air defenses maintaining reasonable interception rates despite ammunition strain, IAEA monitoring providing nuclear safety surveillance, no reports of actual radioactive leaks despite Chornobyl shield compromise.

Short-term Outlook: Expect continued intensive Russian operations targeting energy infrastructure through December as winter deepens. December 9 London meeting between European leaders and Zelensky will be critical indicator of Western coalition cohesion. US-Ukraine diplomatic tensions likely to persist and potentially worsen unless Trump receives evidence of Ukrainian flexibility on peace terms. Risk of additional Zaporizhzhia power incidents remains elevated.

Medium-term Outlook: Winter campaign 2025-2026 will test Ukrainian civilian resilience under sustained bombardment and rolling blackouts. Western coalition unity faces severe stress as US positions diverge from European commitments. Russian territorial gains in Donbas probable but insufficient for strategic breakthrough. Nuclear safety concerns at both Chornobyl and Zaporizhzhia create persistent catastrophic risk background that could spike without warning.

Key Variables to Monitor: December 9 London summit outcomes and specific European commitments, evolution of Trump-Zelensky relationship and whether tensions escalate or stabilize, Russian operational tempo sustainability through winter months, Ukrainian air defense ammunition availability, Zaporizhzhia power supply stability, any movement toward implementation of nuclear safety protection zones, Congressional dynamics on Ukraine aid appropriations.