Is Ukraine Intensifying Attacks Before Trump-Putin Summit?

Moscow, Aug 13 (NationPress) On Wednesday, Russia accused Ukraine of increasing its military actions ahead of the scheduled meeting on August 15 between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

In a statement released on X, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported that 22 individuals have lost their lives and 105 others have been injured due to Ukraine's artillery bombardments and drone operations over the past week. A map highlighting the affected regions within Russian territory was also shared by the ministry.

“As the Russia-U.S. Summit nears, the Kyiv regime has escalated its terrorist actions against Russian territories. In the last week, 127 Russian citizens have been impacted by shelling and drone strikes, resulting in 22 fatalities and 105 injuries,” stated Alexei Fadeev, Deputy Spokesperson of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Earlier, the Russian Defence Ministry alleged that the Ukrainian government is orchestrating a provocation aimed at disrupting the upcoming meeting between Trump and Putin. In a Telegram post, they claimed, “According to intelligence from multiple sources, the Kyiv regime is preparing a provocation to sabotage the Russian-American discussions set for August 15, 2025.”

The ministry asserted that to achieve this, the Ukrainian security service has dispatched a contingent of foreign journalists to Chuguev in Kharkiv, claiming they are conducting “reports on residents in frontline areas.” They further alleged that Ukrainian forces would launch attacks on the city, attributing the blame to Russia.

“Just before the summit on Friday, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are expected to execute a provocative strike using UAVs and missiles targeting either a heavily populated residential area or a hospital, resulting in significant civilian casualties that will be promptly documented by foreign journalists,” the Russian Defence Ministry warned.

Consequently, they claimed that Russian forces would be held fully accountable for the strikes and civilian casualties. “This will create an adverse media narrative and set the stage for undermining Russian-American collaboration in resolving the conflict in Ukraine,” the statement read.

In the context of the ongoing conflict, Russian military units reportedly liberated the areas of Suvorovo and Nikanorovka in Donetsk within the last 24 hours, according to the state-owned news agency TASS. The report indicated that Russian air defense systems intercepted 240 Ukrainian drones, nine aerial bombs, and four HIMARS projectiles within a single day, targeting Ukrainian formations and foreign mercenaries across 136 districts.

On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remarked that the Russian army is “not preparing to end the war” in Ukraine, but is instead making movements suggesting preparations for renewed military operations. He expressed his support for Trump’s resolve but simultaneously urged for positions that would prevent Russia from “misleading the world.”

“I appreciate the European leaders for their unwavering support of our independence and territorial integrity, along with their proactive diplomatic efforts to achieve a dignified peace. We support President Trump’s determination, and together we must forge positions that will not allow Russia to deceive the world once again. The Russian army is not signaling an end to the war; rather, they are indicating preparations for new offensive actions. In this context, it is vital to ensure that global unity remains unshaken,” Zelensky posted on X.

“Discussions surrounding Ukraine’s and Europe’s security are a collective effort. Any decisions must bolster our joint security capabilities. If Russia continues its violent actions, it must be held responsible. As long as the war and occupation persist, we must collectively apply pressure—through strength, sanctions, and diplomacy. I appreciate everyone contributing to this cause. Peace through strength,” he concluded.