Russia has secretly stockpiled 700 deadly ballistic missiles and 6,000 drones for major attacks on Ukraine even as US envoy Steve Witkoff holds meetings with Vladimir Putin.
As Donald Trump's negotiator flew into Russia for the Putin 'peace' meeting, it emerged Russia is producing more than 10,000 drones a month in a major bid to overwhelm Kyiv. The deadly arsenal was building up as Witkoff prepared for today's St Petersburg meeting and the Trump administration appeared to be warming towards the Kremlin daily.
Deadly arsenal details
Among Russia's killer arsenal are believed to be thousands of "decoy" drones aimed at confusing and diverting Ukraine's air defence systems into shooting them down. Russia has around 115 Iskander-M ballistic missiles in its current cache and produces up to 65 of these weapons every month, as they are almost impossible to shoot down.
Ukrainian intelligence also believes Moscow has more than 600 upgraded Oniks anti-ship missiles, with more powerful warheads. Its deadly stockpile also includes more than 120 Zircon hypersonic missiles, with just over 30 manufactured this year.
Zelensky's stance and intelligence sharing
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly said Putin does not want to end the war and few observers believe he will. But Zelensky also said yesterday that intelligence sharing with the US now "works" once more, following claims Washington had cut off crucial incoming missile alerts.
On Wednesday it emerged Russia has released a retired American teacher who had been imprisoned on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine. Witkoff said it had happened during his meeting with Putin in St. Petersburg. The deal comes at a time when President Donald Trump has taken actions meant to benefit Moscow.
Release of American teacher
Stephen Hubbard, of Michigan, was sentenced after a closed trial in 2024 to nearly seven years in prison. Prosecutors said he had signed a contract with the Ukrainian military after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, and that he was captured two months later.
Witkoff thanked Putin for releasing Hubbard, telling him, "Because of you, he's going home to his family." The Russian leader responded that Hubbard was at the St. Petersburg airport, Pulkovo, after the release. Witkoff has tried without success to steer Russia and Ukraine toward a settlement to end a war that will hit the five-year mark in February.
Trump's actions toward Russia
Trump foreshadowed a release earlier in the week, telling reporters at the White House: "I've been talking to President Putin about Mr. Hubbard. I've been talking to him at length. I've asked him to release him. Let's see what happens."
Trump decided on Friday to waive sanctions on Russia in a bill that Congress overwhelmingly passed to support Ukraine. Named after late South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, the legislation targeted the flow of financial resources fuelling Russia's war. That reversal followed Trump's announcement of a deal to import Russian diesel fuel in a long-shot effort to curb high gas prices ahead of the U.S. midterm elections next month.
