Russia Strikes Ukraine: Northeast City Kharkiv Battered as Trump Meets Zelensky

At least one person died and 15 were injured in Russian attacks that particularly battered the northeast city of Kharkiv, occurring as President Trump met with Ukrainian President Zelensky. The strikes using Iranian-made drones highlighted the ongoing violence even as high-level diplomatic engagement proceeded.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko alerted residents via social media that the capital faced a “massive enemy attack,” instructing people to seek shelter. The strikes targeted residential buildings, resulting in casualties and extensive damage. Heat and water infrastructure was disrupted in multiple districts, affecting thousands of residents.
Kharkiv bore particularly heavy damage, with Mayor Igor Terekhov confirming that Iranian-manufactured Shahed drones struck several residential complexes. The northeastern city, located near the Russian border, has endured relentless bombardment throughout the nearly four-year conflict. The drone attacks caused widespread destruction to civilian housing.
The violence occurred as President Trump met with Ukrainian President Zelensky, followed by trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi bringing together American, Russian, and Ukrainian representatives. The UAE foreign ministry described the discussions as focused on “promoting dialogue and identifying political solutions to the crisis.” Separately, President Putin met with Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
President Zelensky announced that peace proposals were approaching completion following his discussions with President Trump. He proposed establishing a free trade zone in eastern Ukraine under Kyiv’s control, suggesting it would be “positive for our business.” However, significant obstacles remain, particularly regarding the Donbas region.