Russia Launches Massive Strikes as Zelenskyy Prepares Trump Meeting

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned Friday that Russian forces have readied missiles for another massive attack likely to occur within 48 hours. This warning follows a series of devastating strikes, including a July 24 ballistic missile attack in the Bucha district that hit a weapons exhibition and killed at least 10 people. On Saturday, July 25, Russia launched a barrage of 157 drones and two guided missiles across Ukraine, killing two people in Sumy and damaging infrastructure in the Poltava region.

These military escalations coincide with diplomatic efforts to end the war. Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on July 28 to discuss renewed peace proposals and a possible air ceasefire. On the sidelines of ASEAN events in Manila, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed Washington's readiness to play a constructive role in resolving the conflict.

Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov stated that Moscow views the Trump administration as sincere in its desire to find acceptable settlement options. However, Peskov maintained that Russia will continue military operations to achieve a complete victory while awaiting new U.S. proposals. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy reported intelligence that Vladimir Putin is preparing a significant new wave of troop mobilization for the fall to intensify assaults.