Ukraine Hit by Deadly Russian Air Strikes Hours After Trilateral Peace Talks

Ukraine reported a fresh wave of deadly Russian air strikes overnight into Saturday, just hours after officials from Kyiv, Moscow and Washington held their first known trilateral talks since the war began, with further discussions expected to continue over the weekend.

Ukrainian authorities said missile and drone attacks targeted multiple cities, including the capital, Kyiv, prompting air defense systems to activate. Residents reported hearing powerful explosions across the city during the night.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that at least one person was killed and four others were injured in the strikes. He added that falling debris sparked fires and damaged residential and commercial buildings, leaving parts of the capital without heating and water services.

Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, also came under heavy attack. Local officials said strikes damaged a maternity hospital and a dormitory housing displaced civilians. At least 11 people were wounded in the city, according to municipal authorities.

The attacks came shortly after delegations from Russia and Ukraine concluded a day of talks with US representatives in Abu Dhabi, marking a rare diplomatic engagement involving all three sides since the conflict escalated.

Russia was represented by senior military and intelligence officials, while Ukraine sent top diplomats and security representatives. The US delegation included senior envoys closely linked to the current administration.

Sources familiar with the discussions indicated that territorial issues were a central focus of the talks, particularly the eastern Donbas region, an area rich in minerals, agriculture and strategic waterways. Moscow has repeatedly demanded control over parts of the region still held by Ukraine — a position Kyiv has firmly rejected.

The US has continued to push for a negotiated settlement, though concerns remain that any rushed agreement could tilt in Russia’s favor.

Nearly four years after launching its full-scale invasion, Russia currently occupies about 20% of Ukraine’s internationally recognized territory, including most of the Luhansk region and parts of Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

Following the meeting, Ukraine’s chief negotiator Rustem Umerov said discussions were centered on achieving a “dignified and lasting peace” and confirmed that additional talks were scheduled.

President Volodymyr Zelensky remained cautious, saying it was too early to draw conclusions. In his daily address, he stressed that the key issue is whether Russia is genuinely prepared to end the war, adding that Ukraine’s position and negotiation framework remain clear.