Zelensky blasts deadly Russian strikes hours before Trump meeting—”Cynical”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called a series of overnight Russian strikes “demonstrative and cynical,” hours before he is set to meet President Donald Trump in Washington.

His comments came after a drone attack on an apartment block in Kharkiv killed seven people and 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 and debrief 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 there to seven, according to the Ukrainian news outlet Pravda.

These include “an 18-month-old child and a 16-year-old teenager, according to regional military administration head Oleh Syniehubov.

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.”

“Everyone seeks dignified peace and true security,” he continued. “And 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 as a result of the drone strike in Kharkiv, the youngest being a girl who is only a year-and-a-half old, and dozens have been injured, including children,” Zelensky said. “In Zaporizhzhia, missile strikes injured 20 people and killed three. My condolences go out to all of the victims’ families and loved ones.”

Ukrainian military and emergency reports also said Russia launched four Iskander-M ballistic missiles and about 140 Shahed-type attack UAVs and decoy drones in an overnight assault on 25 locations, with strikes recorded across the Donetsk, Kharkiv, Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa and Kyiv regions.

Ukraine’s air force reported dozens of UAVs were shot down or jammed, Pravda reported.

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 and reported no casualties, according 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 to mount offensive operations there.

“The enemy is now regrouping and concentrating on two main fronts,” Syrskyi said.

What People Are Saying

Ukrainian President Zelensky posted on X, saying: “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 in post to Truth Social Sunday night: “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!!!”

What Happens Next

Zelensky and European leaders meet President Trump on Monday to discuss steps toward ending the war.