WASHINGTON −Russian drone attacks on Ukrainehave skyrocketed in recent weeks as thePentagon continues to hold updeliveries of key air defense supplies, including Patriot interceptors. Russian drone strikes haveincreased by roughly 500%in June and July, compared with earlier this year, according to the Institute for the Study of War. "The Ukrainians are getting pounded at an unprecedented level of intensity," said Fred Kagan, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. "They need air defense of all sorts urgently." Russia pummeled Ukraine overnight on July 3 with the largest drone and missile attack of the more-than-three-year conflict, with more than 530 drones and at least 10 missiles launched mostly at the capital, according to Ukraine's air force. At least two people were killed and more than 90 injured across the country as attacks continued into July 7. Over the past week, Russia launched around 1,270 drones and 39 missiles at Ukraine, according to Ukrainian PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyy. The escalation comes as the Pentagon has paused some weapons deliveries to Ukraine, including key air defense weapons like Patriots. Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Sean Parnell called it a "capability review ... to ensure U.S. military aid aligns with our defense priorities." Democratic lawmakers said Ukraine's air defenses were their largest worry. Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, said air defense is the "biggest concern ... without question" after the Pentagon's pause on weapons deliveries. Smith said concerns that military aid to Ukraine and Israel is depleting the United States' own stockpiles were not a "legitimate excuse." "Stockpiles that I've seen are no lower than they've been during the last three and a half years," since Russia first invaded Ukraine, he said. "I'm torn between whether or not it's just really unintelligent analysis of what ournational security needs truly are," or an "excuse to let Putin have his way in Ukraine," Smith added. Sens. Jack Reed and Chris Coons, two top Democrats on the Senate Armed Services Committee, called the aid pause the "latest and most dramatic blow to our support for Ukraine" in a July 3 joint statement. "This assistance – including vital air defense interceptors and artillery munitions – was provided by Congress and designated to be delivered months ago," they said, referring to military aid procured through contractsauthorized by Congressthat does not draw directly from U.S. stockpiles. Kagan said concentrated Russian drone strikes "facilitate" ballistic missiles that penetrate Ukraine's defenses. A lack of Patriot interceptors "leaves Ukraine open to the Russians just shooting their ballistic missiles whenever they want." Patriots are Ukraine's only air defense system that can down ballistic missiles, he added. In recent days, both Zelenskyy and PresidentDonald Trumphave nodded to Ukraine's need for air defense, but a deal has yet to come through. "We had an extremely fruitful conversation with the President of the United States yesterday, during which we discussed air defense," Zelenskyy said ina July 5 video statement. More:Russia continues record-setting aerial attacks, US cuts off arms shipments to Ukraine Trump seemed in agreement, telling reporters aboard Air Force One the same day that Ukraine would need Patriots "for defense." "They're going to need something because they're being hit pretty hard," he said. Trump saidhe was "very unhappy"with a call he held days earlier with Russian PresidentVladimir Putin. "He wants to go all the way, just keep killing people," Trump said. Trump brieflycut off all military aid to Ukrainein March after an Oval Office meeting with Zelenskyy devolved into a verbal fight. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Russian drone attacks on Ukraine skyrocket amid Pentagon aid cutoff
