Russia launched its largest attack of the month against Ukraine while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with U.S. President Donald Trump and European leaders at the White House. The attack, which included 270 drones and 10 missiles, was part of an ongoing Russian strategy to target Ukraine’s infrastructure and maintain military pressure despite diplomatic efforts. Ukrainian forces intercepted 230 drones and six missiles, with 40 drones and four missiles successfully striking 16 locations, resulting in debris falling on three sites. The strike primarily targeted energy infrastructure in the central Poltava region, causing significant damage to oil refining and gas facilities.
Energy infrastructure in the Poltava region was a major target, as confirmed by Ukraine’s Energy Ministry. The ministry reported that the strikes led to large-scale fires, with officials emphasizing that these attacks constitute a direct violation of international humanitarian law. Zelenskyy expressed his frustration over the continued violence, criticizing Russia’s strategy of demonstrating force to pressure Ukraine and Europe. He wrote on X that the Russian war machine continues to destroy lives and that Putin’s actions are intended to maintain pressure on diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire.
The attack occurred just days after Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Trump in Alaska, during which Putin refused to consider an immediate ceasefire and instead demanded that Ukraine surrender its eastern Donetsk region in exchange for ending the conflict that began in February 2022. Trump later stated that he had spoken with Putin about the possibility of a meeting between the two leaders. Despite these discussions, the attack highlights the ongoing escalation of hostilities, with both sides targeting infrastructure and civilian areas. The U.S. has remained firm in its support for Ukraine, rejecting the idea of providing blanket financial assistance and pressing NATO to share the costs of supporting Kyiv’s defense.
According to Ukraine’s air force, the attack was the largest since July 31, when Russia launched 309 drones and eight missiles. Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that its forces shot down 23 Ukrainian drones on Monday night and into Tuesday morning. Both sides have been engaged in a cycle of attacks on critical infrastructure, underscoring the intensity of the conflict and the challenges faced by diplomacy in de-escalating the situation. As Zelenskyy’s diplomatic mission continues, the international community watches closely to see if the ongoing violence will lead to any progress in finding a sustainable resolution to the war.