From: Transform Ukraine By Douglas Landro / May 27, 2025
As Trump Calls Putin “Absolutely Crazy” and Kremlin Scrambles Buffer Zones, Ukraine’s Intelligence Warns of Moscow’s 2-4 Year Plan to Attack Europe
Summary of the Day – May 26, 2025
Russia launched its most massive drone assault of the war—355 Shaheds and decoys alongside nine cruise missiles—in a three-night crescendo of terror that left six dead and 24 wounded across Ukraine. This record-breaking barrage prompted an unprecedented rebuke from Donald Trump, who declared Putin had gone “absolutely crazy,” while Emmanuel Macron observed that Trump finally realizes “Putin lied to him” about wanting peace. As Ukraine completed its prisoner exchange and secured release of POWs from 46 units previously blocked by Russia, Moscow seized four border villages in Sumy Oblast to create Putin’s demanded “buffer zones.” Ukrainian intelligence chief Oleh Ivashchenko warned that Russia could restore combat capabilities to attack Europe within 2-4 years after the war ends—faster if sanctions are lifted—while revealing Moscow produces 100 Shaheds daily with plans for 500. The day ended with Europe’s defense commissioner declaring that “450 million Europeans should not be begging 340 million Americans to protect Europe from 140 million Russians who cannot take on 38 million Ukrainians.”
Night of 355 Drones: Russia Sets New Terror Record While Claiming “Peace”
The numbers defy comprehension: 355 Shahed-type drones and decoys, nine Kh-101 cruise missiles launched from Tu-95MS bombers, creating what Ukraine’s Air Force called the most extensive drone strike of the full-scale war. Ukrainian defenses performed admirably—shooting down all nine missiles and 233 drones, with 55 neutralized by electronic warfare—yet the sheer scale revealed Russia’s true intentions.
This wasn’t random escalation but calculated terror, the third night in a three-day barrage totaling over 900 drones. Ukrainian aviation expert Anatoliy Khrapchynskyi’s assessment proved prophetic: Russia can produce approximately 100 Shaheds daily, four to five times their late 2024 rate, with plans to reach 500 daily production.
The technical evolution compounds the threat. Ukrainian engineers discovered Russia now uses Telegram messaging bots to control drones, ensuring real-time flight data. A note hidden inside one drone—possibly from a “sympathetic Russian engineer”—revealed the new control algorithm. Drones fly at record altitudes of 4,900 meters, beyond range of small-caliber guns and shoulder-fired missiles.
Trump’s Epiphany: “He’s Gone Absolutely CRAZY!”
Donald Trump’s Truth Social eruption marked a watershed in his relationship with Putin: “I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY!”
Voice of Ukraine 