Air Alert Over Kyiv Ahead Of Trump-Zelenskyy Meeting In White House

Last Updated:August 18, 2025, 22:58 IST

Air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv as a Russian MiG-31 took off. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy will meet US President Trump in Washington to discuss ending the Russia-Ukraine war.

Russia-Ukraine War: US President Donald Trump with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Air raid sirens sounded over Kyiv on Monday, AFP journalists heard, ahead of a highly anticipated meeting in Washington between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump.

The Ukrainian air force said on social media that an air alert was triggered across the country because a Russian MiG-31 was detected taking off, capable of carrying Kinzhal hypersonic missiles that Moscow has been using in attacks.

Several European leaders will also attend the meeting at the White House in yet another attempt to bring the Russia-Ukraine war to an end. Leaders who will participate in the meeting with Trump today include those from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, the European Union, and NATO. They will present their ideas to the US President on how the three-year-old war should end and on what conditions.

Earlier, on the intervening night of August 17-18, explosions were heard during an air-raid warning in the city of Sumy, and it was later confirmed that Russian forces had hit Sumy State University.

Reportedly, Russia launched at least four attack UAVs, which deliberately struck civilian infrastructure.

A fire broke out as a result of the strikes, and a non-residential building went up in flames.

According to local media outlet Kordon, the Russians struck Sumy State University, destroying one of its buildings. Firefighters worked until morning to extinguish the blaze.

Ukraine’s State Emergency Service reported that emergency teams have been responding to the aftermath of Russian coordinated strikes on the city of Sumy and the Shostka hromada.

“In Sumy, buildings belonging to one of the city’s universities were damaged. A large-scale fire broke out. Due to the threat of repeat strikes, emergency workers temporarily suspended their work. All the seats of fire have been extinguished," the service said.

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