Russian army General Staff Chief Valery Gerasimov announced that Moscow plans to continue delivering massive strikes “exclusively against military targets” in Ukraine, according to his summary of combat operations for the spring-summer period.

However, the pattern of near-daily strikes on Ukrainian cities has consistently resulted in missiles, drones, and their debris hitting civilian areas and non-military infrastructure, producing significant casualty tolls that include children.

“According to the General Staff’s plan, targeted massive fire strikes continue exclusively against military targets and military-industrial complex facilities in Ukraine,” Gerasimov stated.

He added that Russian forces conduct some attacks jointly with the Federal Security Service (FSB) and will continue offensive operations within their stated military objectives.

According to Russian military reports, the priority is given to facilities producing missile systems and long-range unmanned aerial vehicles. 

These announcements come as US President Donald Trump recently expressed optimism about potential diplomatic progress following talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska in mid-August 2025. Trump indicated that Putin appeared interested in reaching a peace agreement regarding Ukraine, with many points reportedly agreed upon though no final deal was announced. 

Russian strike killed a little girl born during full-scale war

Russian diplomatic rhetoric contrasts sharply with the reality on the ground, as evidenced by the 28 August attack on Kyiv that resulted in 25 confirmed deaths, according to President Zelenskyy. Russian forces used 31 missiles and 598 drones in the overnight assault, with damage recorded across nearly all districts of the capital.

Among the casualties were four children, including two-year-old Anhelina and her 24-year-old mother Nadiia Yakymenko.

According to Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the youngest victim “was born under Russian shelling in October 2022 and died from Russian shelling in August 2025.”

Civilian lives Russian aggression took

Other victims included 14-year-old Nazariy Koval, a school student, and 17-year-old Maryna Gryshko, a college student.

“This girl was a gentle, bright and creative personality, open to the world and people. She knew how to give kindness, inspire those around her with her talent and sincerity. For her classmates and teachers, she will forever remain a bright ray of joy and kindness,” the college statement about Maryna’s death noted.

Yana Shapoval, whose family resided on the top floor of a five-story residential building that was destroyed in the bombardment, was also killed in the attack. Her husband was critically injured and required hospitalization while their 11-year-old son Maksym sustained a fractured arm.

The strikes also damaged multiple civilian and diplomatic facilities, including the European Union representation building, the British Council office, and media outlets including Ukrainska Pravda and Radio Liberty. Transportation infrastructure was also affected, with damage to postal facilities and railway equipment.

Following the attack, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the strike as “successful” while simultaneously claiming Moscow’s continued interest in peace negotiations. The European Union summoned Russia’s ambassador in response, and Ukraine called for an emergency UN Security Council meeting.