Russia launched a major attack on Ukraine overnight, with 280 drones and missiles fired into the country, according to Ukraine’s air force. The attack, which occurred during President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s meeting with US President Donald Trump and European leaders in Washington, is the largest since July 31.
Ukraine’s Energy Ministry reported that energy infrastructure in the central Poltava region was targeted, resulting in large-scale fires breaking out. Oil refining and gas facilities were also attacked, with the strikes described as part of a campaign of “systematic terrorist attacks against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.”
Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed to have shot down 23 Ukrainian drones overnight, but Ukraine’s air force said that 30 drones were intercepted or suppressed. The impacts of 40 drones and four missiles were reported across 16 locations.
The attack came after a day of high-level talks in Washington, where Trump, Zelenskyy, and European leaders discussed a possible roadmap to end Russia’s full-scale invasion. While the meeting was described as “truly a significant step toward ending the war” by Zelenskyy, the parties appeared to be some way apart on key issues.
Trump confirmed that he would support security guarantees for Ukraine, but Russian officials rejected the idea of NATO troops in the country. Zelenskyy and his European partners stressed their desire for a full ceasefire before peace negotiations could take place.
European leaders expressed skepticism about the possibility of a genuine desire for peace from Russia, with French President Emmanuel Macron saying that Putin’s “ultimate objective” is to take as much territory as possible. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz noted that Ukrainian territorial concessions were not discussed during the meeting.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/International/russia-launches-largest-attack-august-ukraine-after-trump/story?id=124768391