A surge of Ukrainian drone strikes hit several Russian regions this week, just as world leaders prepared for pivotal talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
According to the Washington Examiner, the strikes, carried out on August 13 and 14, came one day before a high-profile summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, underscoring a tense climate ahead of peace negotiations.
According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, 44 Ukrainian drones were intercepted over Russian territory during the two-day assault. This wave of attacks marks one of the most extensive aerial incursions by Ukraine into Russian airspace since the war began. Among the most serious incidents was a drone strike on an apartment building in Rostov-on-Don, where 13 civilians were injured. Regional Governor Yury Slyusar confirmed the injuries in a statement released on August 14 and noted ongoing investigations into the full extent of the damage.
In a separate attack, another drone struck the village of Pristen in Russia’s Belgorod region, killing one person and injuring three others. Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov posted an image of a burning vehicle on social media, showing the immediate aftermath of the strike.
Energy Infrastructure Targeted in Cross-Border Attacks
The drone campaign also included strikes on vital components of Russia’s energy infrastructure. Ukrainian drones reportedly targeted several oil refineries and the strategic Druzhba pipeline, which delivers oil to various countries in Eastern Europe, including Hungary.
These actions have provoked criticism from neighboring Hungary, a country that has so far attempted to remain outside direct involvement in the Ukraine conflict. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto condemned the targeting of the Druzhba pipeline, calling it a direct threat to his nation’s energy security. “Hungary is Ukraine’s number one electricity supplier,” Szijjarto said. He argued that by threatening the oil flow through this critical route, Ukraine risked destabilizing a relationship vital to its own energy needs.
Hungary Voices Concern Over Pipeline Strike
The Hungarian government expressed frustration that its energy assets were being drawn into the chaos of a war it seeks to avoid. “Given this, the Ukrainian attack on the Druzhba pipeline ... is outrageous,” Szijjarto said. He warned that Hungary's energy independence could be compromised if such operations continued.
The minister's comments came as Hungary maintains its position as a supplier of electricity to Ukraine, even while criticizing the ongoing conflict. Hungary, a member of the European Union, has aimed to exert diplomatic pressure on Ukraine without taking part in the fighting. The timing of Ukraine’s drone campaign—just ahead of a rare face-to-face meeting between President Trump and President Putin—has raised questions about its strategic intent. Some analysts see the strikes as a signal to both Moscow and Washington about Kyiv’s resolve.
Trump Optimistic but Realistic Before Summit
On August 15, Trump traveled to Anchorage, Alaska, where he is hosting the one-day summit with Putin. Trump described the meeting as “very important for Russia and very important for us,” emphasizing its potential to save lives by bringing an end to the war.
He acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the summit’s outcome, cautioning that it might not succeed. “It’s like a chess game,” Trump told reporters. “But there is a 25% chance that this meeting will not be a successful meeting.” The United States has been attempting to mediate a diplomatic resolution to the war, now in its second year. Trump has said that if Friday’s meeting proves productive, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could be invited to a second summit in Alaska.
Ongoing Disagreements Complicate Peace Hopes
Ahead of that possibility, however, major obstacles remain. Chief among them is Moscow’s demand to annex four contested Ukrainian regions: Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. These territories are currently under partial Russian control and are at the center of ongoing military engagements. Kyiv has refused to cede any land, maintaining that Ukraine’s borders are non-negotiable. Zelensky has previously stated that any peace agreement must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty over these regions.
Despite the deep divides, the Anchorage summit represents the most visible diplomatic effort yet under the Trump administration to wind down the war. The U.S. hopes to use its leverage to encourage both sides to find a durable cease-fire agreement.
Drone Strikes Underscore Fragile Landscape
The drone attacks this week illustrate the volatility on the ground, as well as the difficulty of achieving peace in a rapidly shifting conflict. Russia’s ability to intercept dozens of drones demonstrates its growing air defense capabilities, but the civilian toll from those that got through has heightened internal pressure on the Kremlin. Ukraine’s use of low-cost, unmanned aircraft to hit strategic and civilian targets inside Russia is seen as a tactic to stretch Russian resources and galvanize public notice of its resilience and reach. However, the risk of drawing other countries, like Hungary, into the conflict adds another layer of complexity to the war’s trajectory.
As discussions unfold in Alaska, the stakes remain high for all parties involved. Continued disruption of critical infrastructure and loss of civilian life threaten to derail delicate talks, even before they properly begin.
