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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called Russian overnight strikes “demonstrative and cynical,” hours before he was set to meet with US President Donald Trump in Washington. His comments came after a drone attack on an apartment block in Kharkiv killed seven people, while multiple other strikes hit Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, and other regions.
Why It Matters
Russia’s overnight strikes occurred on the eve of a high-profile meeting in Washington on Monday between Trump and Zelensky, along with European leaders, to discuss ending the war. Additionally, there was a debriefing session on Friday’s Alaska meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
What To Know
Ukrainian authorities reported that an early-morning drone strike in Kharkiv struck a five-storey residential building and later raised the death toll to seven. According to regional military administration head Oleh Syniehubov, these included “an 18-month-old child and a 16-year-old teenager.”
Zelensky wrote on X: “This was a demonstrative and cynical Russian strike. They are aware that a meeting is taking place today in Washington that will address the end of the war.” He continued, “Everyone seeks dignified peace and true security. At this very moment, the Russians are attacking Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, the Sumy region, and Odesa, destroying residential buildings and our civilian infrastructure.”
As of now, seven people have been killed in the drone strike in Kharkiv, with the youngest being a 1-year-and-6-month-old girl. Dozens were injured, including children. In Zaporizhzhia, missile strikes injured 20 people and killed three.
Ukrainian military and emergency reports stated that Russia launched four Iskander-M ballistic missiles and about 140 Shahed-type attack UAVs and decoy drones in an overnight assault on 25 locations across the Donetsk, Kharkiv, Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, and Kyiv regions. Ukraine’s air force reported that dozens of UAVs were shot down or jammed.
In the Odesa region, officials reported a large fire at a fuel and energy facility after drone impacts; local authorities said firefighters contained and extinguished the blaze with no casualties, according to The Kyiv Independent.
Reuters reported on Monday that Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said Russian forces were redeploying units toward the Zaporizhzhia front and preparing for offensive operations there. “The enemy is now regrouping and concentrating on two main fronts,” Syrskyi said.
What People Are Saying
Ukrainian President Zelensky posted: “The Russian war machine continues to destroy lives despite everything. Putin will commit demonstrative killings to maintain pressure on Ukraine and Europe, as well as to humiliate diplomatic efforts. That is precisely why we are seeking assistance to put an end to the killings. That is why reliable security guarantees are required. That is why Russia should not be rewarded for its participation in this war. The war must be ended. And it is Moscow that must hear the word: ‘Stop.'”
President Donald Trump said on Truth Social: “President Zelenskyy of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight. Remember how it started. No getting back Obama given Crimea (12 years ago, without a shot being fired!), and NO GOING INTO NATO BY UKRAINE. Some things never change!!!”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a media conference at EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025.
AP
Zelensky and European leaders will meet with Trump on Monday to discuss steps toward ending the war.
