Russian President Vladimir Putin commanded a significant aerial assault on Ukraine shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy completed his meeting with President Donald Trump.
As President Trump, at 79 years old, remains focused on his mission to end the conflict in Eastern Europe, his 72-year-old Russian counterpart seems to disregard his peace aspirations.
Despite being aware of the White House summit attended by the 47-year-old Zelenskyy and major European leaders on August 18, Russian forces reportedly launched 270 drones, five cruise missiles, and five Iskander-M ballistic missiles.
This information comes from the Ukrainian air force, which noted that most of these were intercepted.
“According to preliminary data, as of 09.00 [local time], 236 air targets were shot down/crushed by the air defense: 230 Shahed type BPLA enemies and drones-imitators of different types; 2 Iskander-M ballistic missiles; 4 winged X-101 missiles,” the force posted on Facebook.
A NATO member country has confirmed that fighter jets from two member nations were dispatched in response to the attacks. Ukraine believes the attacks originated from Russian-occupied Crimea and nearby Russian regions, including Voronezh, Rostov, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Millerovo, and Kursk.
The Polish military took to social media to inform its residents that Polish Armed Forces were mobilized as a precautionary measure to protect the country from potential attacks.
“On the night of August 18 to 19, 2025, the long-range aviation of the Russian Federation once again launched missile attacks on Ukrainian territory,” it wrote.
“To ensure the safety of Polish airspace, the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces has activated all necessary procedures. Polish and allied aircraft have begun operations, and ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems have reached the highest state of readiness.”
The statement further noted that Swedish air force jets contributed to safeguarding Polish skies, with some stationed in Poland.
During the previous day’s meeting, Trump reportedly paused the session for up to 40 minutes to call Putin and attempt to arrange a face-to-face meeting between Zelenskyy and himself.
The Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov suggested that such a meeting would be ‘worthwhile,’ with expectations that Trump will participate in the discussions.
In a hot mic audio shared by CBS News, Trump is heard saying: “I think he wants to make a deal for me, as crazy as it sounds.”
It is believed that ‘he’ refers to Putin.
Further updates to follow.