KYIV, Ukraine — A Ukrainian drone strike resulted in one death and two injuries in Russia's Nizhny Novgorod region, approximately 260 miles east of Moscow, according to a local official on Monday. The attack occurred as hostilities continued ahead of a scheduled summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, where Putin aims to secure a peace agreement that would solidify Russia's territorial gains in Ukraine.

Nizhny Novgorod Governor Gleb Nikitin reported that drones targeted two industrial zones, leading to the casualties and unspecified damage. A Ukrainian official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, stated that at least four drones launched by Ukraine's security services struck a facility in Arzamas. This plant is known for producing components for Kinzhal hypersonic missiles. The official described the Plandin plant as an "absolutely legitimate target" due to its role in the Russian military-industrial complex supporting the war against Ukraine.

In response to the drone attacks, Russia's Defense Ministry claimed that its air defenses intercepted and destroyed 39 Ukrainian drones overnight and into Monday morning across various regions, including the annexed Crimean peninsula.

The upcoming summit, hosted by Trump in Alaska, is expected to see Putin maintain his firm stance on retaining all Ukrainian territories currently occupied by Russian forces. He also seeks to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO, aiming to keep the country within Moscow's sphere of influence. Putin believes he holds a strategic advantage as Ukrainian forces face challenges in repelling Russian advances along a 1,000-kilometer front.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly stated that he will not agree to any Russian annexation of Ukrainian land or abandon Ukraine's aspirations for NATO membership. European leaders have expressed their support for Ukraine, emphasizing that any resolution to the conflict must involve Kyiv.

In preparation for the summit, Germany has invited Trump, Zelenskyy, NATO's chief, and several European leaders to a virtual meeting on Wednesday. The discussions aim to explore additional strategies to pressure Russia and address issues related to territorial claims and security. Steffen Meyer, spokesperson for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, reiterated that the German government believes "borders must not be shifted by force" and that Ukraine should determine its own future "independently and autonomously."

On the front lines, many Ukrainian soldiers remain skeptical about the prospect of an end to the conflict, fearing that any lull in fighting may only precede intensified Russian assaults.