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Russian troops launched strikes on the Ukrainian cities of Dnipro and Sumy ahead of a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump in Alaska, according to local authorities and Ukrainian media.
According to Serhiy Lysak, head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration, the strike on the Dnipro River killed one person and injured another. The attack caused a fire, damaging a truck and a minibus. The Ukrainian Air Force previously warned of the possible use of ballistic missiles. Local Telegram channels shared photos of a plume of smoke.
The central market in Sumy was hit, according to Oleg Grigorov, head of the regional military administration. He said civilian infrastructure was damaged, and a large fire broke out at the site. Casualty information is being clarified. Acting Mayor Artem Kobzar stated that the attack was carried out by drones. Preliminary reports indicate no casualties, but Vitaliy Deynichenko, head of the municipal security department, clarified that at least 20 market stalls were damaged. Emergency services are working in the city.
According to Ukrainian authorities, the strikes occurred just hours before the start of the Anchorage summit, where Trump and Putin intend to discuss a possible ceasefire. En route to the meeting, the American president sharply criticized Moscow's actions. "He's creating a scene. He thinks it'll help him get a better deal. But in reality, it's hurting him," Trump said, commenting on the strikes.
According to the White House, the talks will begin at 11:00 a.m. local time (10:00 p.m. Moscow time) and will take place at Elmendorf-Richardson Air Force Base. They are expected to last six to seven hours. Following the meeting, the leaders will hold a joint press conference. Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov noted that the talks will be held face-to-face with the participation of aides. Moscow expects the summit to be productive.
Before departing for Alaska, Trump wrote on his social media account, Truth Social: "The stakes are high!!!" He emphasized that the prospects for a speedy peace, including the upcoming trilateral summit between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, depended on the outcome of the negotiations.
