Russia and Ukraine Trade Deadly Strikes as Zelenskyy Prepares to Meet Trump

Russian strikes on Ukrainian territory killed four people, according to Al Arabiya. The attacks took place in the eastern and southern regions of Ukraine, where Russian forces have been intensifying their operations. Meanwhile, AP News reported that both Russia and Ukraine launched strikes in a coordinated escalation, with the timing coinciding with Zelenskyy’s preparations for his meeting with Trump. The Nelson Mail corroborated the AP report, noting the deadly exchange of fire as the meeting approached. No specific locations were cited in the reports, but the timing and scale of the strikes suggest a deliberate escalation ahead of the high-profile diplomatic engagement.