Russian drone strikes hit Ukraine’s Kharkiv city, killing 7 people, including a 1.5-year-old girl and a 16-year-old boy, on Monday. The attacks occurred just hours before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House.
The strikes were seen as a message from Russian President Vladimir Putin that he has no intention to end the war. “That’s why Putin doesn’t want to cease fire,” Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, wrote on Telegram. “He enjoys shelling peaceful cities while talking about his desire to end the war.”
The attack on Kharkiv’s residential building was described as “deliberate” by the city’s mayor, Ihor Terekhov. “Five enemy ‘Shaheds’ approached it from different directions and targeted people who were peacefully sleeping at five in the morning,” he said.
The drone strike reduced part of the five-story apartment block to rubble, sparking fires on three floors. Ukrainian officials reported 140 drones launched overnight, with 88 intercepted or suppressed.
In addition to the Kharkiv attack, three people were killed in a missile strike on the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia, with nearly 20 people injured. Zelenskyy addressed the bombings at the start of his meeting with Trump, noting a one-and-a-half-year-old had been killed.
Zelenskyy emphasized the need to stop the war and secure support from American and European partners. “We need to stop this war, to stop Russia. And we need support, American and European partners. We will do our best for this,” he said.
The meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy comes after a UN report found 1,000 civilians in Ukraine, including Russian-occupied areas, had been killed between December 2024 and May 2025.
Trump had previously met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and expressed optimism about reaching a deal to end the war. However, Putin did not agree to a ceasefire during their meeting.
The attacks on Ukraine’s cities have raised concerns about Russia’s intentions and the impact on diplomatic efforts. Zelenskyy’s priority is securing international backing and guarantees for Ukraine’s security.
The situation remains dire, with civilians bearing the brunt of the conflict. The international community must work towards finding a solution to end the violence and ensure peace in the region.
The outcome of the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting will be closely watched, with implications for the future of Ukraine and the ongoing conflict with Russia.