On August 15, 2025, Russia launched a significant wave of drone and missile attacks across Ukraine, coinciding with the conclusion of a high-stakes summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska. The diplomatic meeting, intended to foster a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict, ended without any concrete agreements.
Russian forces deployed an estimated 85 drones and one ballistic missile targeting multiple regions in Ukraine, including Sumy, Donetsk, Chernihiv, and Dnipropetrovsk. Ukraine's Air Force reported intercepting 61 of the drones, while the status of the ballistic missile was not specified. The Ukrainian General Staff documented 139 clashes along contact points throughout the day. Reports indicate that the missile strikes impacted civilian areas, causing casualties and damage to property, including a market in Sumy. Meanwhile, the summit at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, which featured displays of U.S. military power, concluded with both leaders acknowledging a lack of a firm agreement, despite expressions of optimism for future discussions. Analysts noted the summit provided a platform for Putin amidst international isolation, highlighting the stark contrast between diplomatic engagement and continued military aggression.