Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned Russian attacks on the Ukrainian regions of Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia and Sumy on Monday, August 18, 2025, ahead of his meeting with Donald Trump.
He stated that the Kremlin intends to “humiliate diplomatic efforts” just hours before European leaders visit the White House.
Zelensky said in a statement, hours before he’s due to meet the US President in the Oval Office that the “Russian war machine continues to destroy lives despite everything.”
“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.
“Everyone seeks dignified peace and true security and at this very moment, the Russians are attacking Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, the Sumy region, and Odesa, destroying residential buildings and our civilian infrastructure. This was a demonstrative and cynical Russian strike.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
At least seven people were killed in Russia’s attack on Kharkiv and a further three killed in the ballistic missile strike on the city of Zaporizhzhia, with scores more injured, according to Ukrainian authorities
At least 20 other people were wounded in the strike on Kharkiv, which caused a fire and the collapse of a residential building, according to the head of the region’s military administration.
An 18-month-old girl and a 16-year-old boy were among those killed in the attack, the military administration said earlier.
The head of the Zaporizhzhia region’s military administration, Ivan Fedorov said that a further 18 people were injured in the attack, with “blast injuries and shrapnel wounds,” adding that one of the victims was a 17-year-old boy.
Fedorov added that elsewhere in the Zaporizhzhia region, a 15-year-old boy was killed when a bomb fell on a home in the village of Novoyakovlivka. The boy’s brother, sister and parents were also wounded.
Frontline Situation Difficult, New Russian Offensive Expected
Meanwhile, the Commander of Ukraine’s military described the situation on the frontline as “currently very difficult” and said that he expects a new Russian offensive in the south of the country.
The military’s Commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, told Ukrainian media that Russian forces were regrouping and focusing on two main directions.
He disclosed that one was Pokrovsk in Donetsk “which remains crucial for the Russians.” The Ukrainian military has previously estimated that Russia has gathered more than 100,000 troops in the area.
Syrskyi said that the Russians were also transferring units to the Zaporizhzhia front in southern Ukraine, which has moved little in the past year.
“This will be the second direction in which the enemy plans to launch active offensive operations. The goal is to break through our defences and advance deeper into the territory.”
Oleksandr Syrskyi
Additionally, Syrskyi asserted that Russian President, Vladimir Putin “doesn’t want to gain time, he wants to gain territory, and this takes time,” even though “the capture of every kilometer and every position costs him more and more dead and wounded.”
Syrskyi said the Russians had adopted what he called the “thousand cuts” tactic in the Pokrovsk direction, using small assault groups.
“They had some success when their groups advanced 10-12 kilometers (6 to 8 miles) to several of our settlements and suddenly appeared there.”
Oleksandr Syrskyi
However, Syrskyi claimed that Ukraine had deployed additional forces, including airborne units, “and the enemy’s victorious mood turned to despair.”
The Ukrainian Commander also spoke of efforts to conserve troops, where Ukraine is heavily outnumbered by Russian forces.
Analysts say that Russian gains in eastern Ukraine have accelerated this year, despite a lack of major breakthroughs. Russian forces are estimated to have gained more than 600 square kilometers in July.
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