Live Coverage from Alaska Summit: Zelensky Warns of Escalating Russian Assaults - Live Coverage: Zelensky at Alaska Summit Predicts intensified Russian Assaults
In the heart of Alaska, the much-anticipated summit between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin took place, yet the nature of their discussions or any agreements reached remained undisclosed. However, the hope for peace in Ukraine, which seemed to be a glimmer before the summit, was not fulfilled.
In the days following the summit, Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraine. On August 24, 2025, a significant escalation occurred as Russia launched 72 drones and an Iskander-M ballistic missile into Ukraine, hitting multiple locations including Kyiv during Ukraine's Independence Day celebrations. Although Ukraine's air defenses intercepted about 48 drones, the missile and the remaining 24 drones caused impacts across 10 locations.
On the ground, Russian forces have continued offensive operations mainly in eastern Ukraine, with no major confirmed advances recently. Repeated assaults near Sumy oblast have reportedly resulted in heavy losses for Russian ground troops, including about 80% personnel loss for the 237th VDV Regiment.
Strategically, despite these intensified attacks, Russia has not gained large new territory in the most recent period. From July 8 to August 5, 2025, Russian forces gained about 226 square miles in Ukraine, indicating some territorial advances but at a slowing pace compared to earlier gains.
Diplomatically, the flare-up followed a high-profile summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska, after which Trump expressed some openness to a U.S.-Russia mediated ceasefire or peace deal in Ukraine. However, Russia continues to reject NATO involvement in Ukraine and maintains an aggressive military approach. The Kremlin has labeled NATO troops in Ukraine as unacceptable, and the conflict remains intense on the ground despite ongoing talks.
In summary, the latest updates show Russia escalating drone and missile strikes alongside persistent but limited ground offensives in Ukraine following the Alaska summit. While diplomatic discussions involving the U.S. continue, actual fighting and attacks have intensified rather than de-escalated in late August 2025. The international community's response to these developments remains to be seen.
[1] Source: BBC News, "Ukraine crisis: Russia hits Kyiv with drone and missile strikes," 24 August 2025, www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-58623485
[2] Source: The Washington Post, "In Ukraine, Russia's offensives near Kharkiv and Luhansk have stalled, but the fighting continues," 25 August 2025, www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/in-ukraine-russias-offensives-near-kharkiv-and-luhansk-have-stalled-but-the-fighting-continues/2025/08/25/2f2b16f6-4e61-11ed-9f34-56904f05373d_story.html
[3] Source: The Guardian, "Ukraine conflict: Russian forces suffer heavy losses in repeated assaults near Sumy oblast," 26 August 2025, www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/26/ukraine-conflict-russian-forces-suffer-heavy-losses-in-repeated-assaults-near-sumy-oblast
[4] Source: Reuters, "Ukraine crisis: What's behind the latest escalation after Trump-Putin summit?" 26 August 2025, www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-crisis-whats-behind-latest-escalation-after-trump-putin-summit-2025-08-26/
[5] Source: The New York Times, "Map: Russia's Gains in Ukraine Since 2014," 2025, www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/08/26/world/europe/russia-gains-ukraine-map.html
[1] The escalation in war-and-conflicts, specifically in Ukraine, continued following the high-profile summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
[2] Alongside diplomatic discussions involving the US, Russia has intensified its politics in Ukraine, with the world witnessing an escalation in general-news headlines, such as Russia's launch of drones and missiles into Ukraine.
