Russia launches missile attacks on central Ukraine hours after Trump-Zelensky meeting concludes

Russia launched a wave of missile and drone attacks against Ukrainian cities on Aug. 19, hours after President Volodymyr Zelensky concluded peace talks with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House.

Explosions were reported in the city of Kremenchuk as Russia launched ballistic missiles struck the country's central region. Multiple ballistic missiles and dozens of drones were reportedly used in the attack.

Energy's infrastructure likely served as the target of the attack, local media reported.

No information was immediately available as to the extent of the damage caused or whether any casualties had been reported.

Ukraine's Air Force said that cities located closer to the front line, including Kharkiv and Poltava were also under threat of missile strikes.

The latest Russian assault comes amid intensified efforts from the U.S. to broker a peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv.

Zelensky wants a meeting. Putin wants to win

Ukraine has long pursued a negotiated end to Russia’s war well in its 12th year. But talks have repeatedly collapsed under the Kremlin’s ultimatums and maximalist demands. President Volodymyr Zelensky has been actively seeking a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin without preconditions, saying that such a move would have a chance to bring the ongoing all-out war to an end. By pursuing talks with Putin, experts say Zelensky may be trying to show that the Kremlin has no real interest i

The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Denisova

Kremenchuk is located in Poltava Oblast in central Ukraine. The city is situated about 100 kilometers (63 miles) from Poltava and approximately 260 kilometers (160 miles) from Kyiv.

An air raid alert was later issued in other regions of Ukraine, including Kyiv, amid the ongoing threat of a ballistic missile strikes.

The attack comes just hours after Zelensky concluded talks with Trump and European leaders at the White House amid ongoing peace talks. According to Trump, the leaders made progress on a concensus on security guarantees for Ukraine in its war against Russia.

"During the meeting we discussed Security Guarantees for Ukraine, which Guarantees would be provided by the various European Countries, with a coordination with the United States of America," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Aug. 15. Although no formal peace agreement was made during their three-hour meeting in Anchorage, Trump later said they had made headway and "largely agreed" on security guarantees for Ukraine and territorial swaps.

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All eyes were on President Volodymyr Zelensky’s outfit as he arrived at the White House to meet President Donald Trump, months after his previous Washington visit sparked controversy — in part over what he wore. American officials reportedly even asked the Ukrainian side whether Zelensky would wear a suit for the meeting this week, following scrutiny over his choice not to wear one during the now-infamous Oval Office showdown in February. When Zelensky stepped out of the car, greeted by Trump

The Kyiv IndependentTania Myronyshena

Following his talks with the Ukrainian president, Trump said he plans to host a bilateral meeting between Zelensky and Putin, followed by a trilateral meeting consisting of the three leaders.

Just hours before Zelensky and European leaders were scheduled to meet with Trump, Russian missile attack on Zaporizhzhia killed three and injured another 30 people, prompting Zelensky to condemn the attack.

Russia "knows that today there is a meeting in Washington to end the war," he said, referring to his talks with Trump later in the day.

"Putin will kill demonstratively in order to continue putting pressure on Ukraine and Europe and to undermine diplomatic efforts," Zelensky added.