The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
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Russia’s war against Ukraine
A resident, rescued from a bombed residential building, catches her breath and breaks into tears after being trapped inside during the Russian attack on Aug. 17, 2025 in Bilozerske, Ukraine. (Pierre Crom/Getty Images)
Russian strike on Kharkiv kills 3, including toddler, injures 17 as Zelensky arrives to Washington to meet with Trump. Russia launched a wave of missile and drone attacks against Ukrainian cities late on Aug. 17, mere hours before President Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled to meet for peace talks with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House.
‘Negotiation can begin where the front line currently stands’ — Zelensky says ahead of meeting with Trump. “We need real negotiations, and that means they can begin where the front line currently stands. The line of contact is the best line for negotiations,” Zelensky wrote on social media following a meeting with members of the so-called “coalition of the willing.”
Trump says no NATO path or Crimea return for Ukraine as Zelensky comes to Washington for peace talks. Zelensky cautioned that any new deal must prevent Russian President Vladimir Putin from using concessions as a “springboard” for another attack, citing Russia’s seizure of Crimea in 2014.
Top European leaders to join Zelensky for Trump talks. According to the German government, the discussions will cover the state of peace efforts, security guarantees, territorial questions, continued support for Ukraine, and maintaining sanctions pressure.
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Ukraine claims battlefield success in Donetsk Oblast. The General Staff said Russian forces suffered significant losses in the area, including 910 killed, 335 wounded, and 37 captured.
Ukrainian drones hit key rail hub in Russia’s Voronezh Oblast, HUR says. The strike disrupted train traffic through the Lisky station, halting the supply of ammunition and troops to aid Russian forces fighting on Ukrainian territory, according to the source.
Kyiv sanctions Russian, Chinese, Belarusian firms supplying drone technology. According to the presidential decree, restrictions were introduced against 39 Russian nationals and 55 companies from Russia, China, and Belarus.
Ukraine’s long-range Flamingo cruise missile enters serial production, media reports. The domestically developed cruise missile has a reported range of 3,000 km (1,864 miles). The military has not yet publicly commented on the official technical specifications.
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Ukraine war latest: Trump to meet with Zelensky, European leaders in Washington on Aug. 18
The leaders will meet in the White House to discuss next steps in negotiating an end to Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. The meeting comes after the Trump-Putin Alaska Summit ended with no ceasefire announcement.
Photo: Tetiana Dzhafarova and Alex Wroblewski / AFP
Trump-Putin summit as Russia advances in Donetsk Oblast | Ukraine This Week
From Crimea to Donbas, Russia’s “peace” has always meant more war. We’re here in Ukraine to give the world a reality check. Support independent journalism in this critical moment.
Human cost of Russia’s war
Russian attacks kill 5, injure 11 across Ukraine over past day. The Air Force said Russia launched one Iskander-M ballistic missile and 60 Shahed-type attack drones and drone decoys overnight on Aug. 17.
General Staff: Russia has lost 1,069,950 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022. The number includes 900 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
International response
US officials provide contradictory statements on security guarantees, fueling uncertainty. In comments to various media networks on Aug. 17, Russia envoy Steve Witkoff and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the outcomes stemming from the Trump-Putin meeting, providing differing accounts of the progress made towards providing Kyiv with security guarantees.
Russia seeks ‘Ukraine’s surrender, not peace,’ Macron says ahead of talks with Trump. “I don’t believe (Russian President Vladimir) Putin wants peace, Macron told reporters after co-chairing a meeting of the coalition of the willing. “I believe he wants Ukraine’s surrender.”
‘International borders cannot be changed by force‘ — von der Leyen says in Brussels. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also backed “Article 5-like security guarantees” for Ukraine, saying the country must become “a steel porcupine, indigestible for potential invaders.”
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