Thus far in August, the intensity of Russian strikes on Ukraine appear to have eased. The first 11 days of this month have seen Moscow launch a daily average of 74 drones and one missile into Ukraine, compared with record-breaking July figures of 201 drones and around six missiles per day.

On Friday, President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet in Alaska where they are expected to discuss the war in Ukraine. NBC News' Jonathan Allen and Keir Simmons report more details.

Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin will hold a high-stakes meeting about the Ukraine war on Friday in Alaska, which the United States bought from Russia more than 150 years ago. Russian influence still endures in parts of the remote state on the northwest edge of the North American continent,