5 Killed In Russian Drone Attack On Ukraine City Ahead Of Trump-Zelenskyy Talks In Washington

Last Updated:August 18, 2025, 14:03 IST

Russia launched four drones on a five-storey apartment block in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on Monday, reducing part of it to rubble and sparking fires on three floors.

A Russian drone strike targeted a five-storey apartment block in Kharkiv. (AFP)

At least five people, including a 1.5-year-old girl, were killed and over a dozen others injured in a Russian drone attack on a five-storey apartment block in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on Monday morning, according to Ukrainian authorities.

The attack took place just before dawn and reduced part of the building to rubble, sparking fires on at least three floors, the region’s governor, Oleg Synegubov, said on Telegram. Russia launched four drones at the building, resulting in five casualties.

Ukraine’s state emergency service posted videos showing rescuers attempting to break through the rubble to reach a trapped resident, while another showed a floor in flames. “Five people were killed, including a girl aged about one-and-a-half years old," Ukraine’s prosecution service said.

At least 18 people, including children, were wounded and suffered acute shock in the attack. This came hours after the same city was hit by a ballistic missiles that wounded at least 11 people, according to Mayor Igor Terekhov.

Russia also struck the southern Odesa region with drones early Monday, sparking a fire at a fuel facility, regional governor Oleg Kiper said.

Trump-Zelenskyy Meeting

The attacks came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his European allies were expected in Washington for talks aimed at ending the three-and-a-half-year war, Europe’s deadliest in 80 years.

Just ahead of the talks in Washington, Trump pushed Zelenskyy to accept a peace deal in the ongoing war against Russia, but ruled out Ukraine’s accession to NATO or re-claiming the annexed Crimea region. Zelensky has repeatedly pushed back against pressure to cede Crimea, the southern peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014.

“President Zelenskyy of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight. Remember how it started. No getting back Obama given Crimea (12 years ago, without a shot being fired!), and NO GOING INTO NATO BY UKRAINE. Some things never change!!!" he said.

(with AFP inputs)

Aveek Banerjee

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...Read More

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...

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Location :

Kyiv, Ukraine

First Published:

August 18, 2025, 14:03 IST

News world 5 Killed In Russian Drone Attack On Ukraine City Ahead Of Trump-Zelenskyy Talks In Washington

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