At least one person died and 15 were injured in Russian attacks on Kyiv and Kharkiv, occurring as President Trump’s envoys met with Russian President Putin to discuss peace. The strikes targeted residential areas, demonstrating the disconnect between diplomatic engagement and battlefield realities.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko alerted Kyiv residents to a “massive enemy attack,” instructing them to remain in protective shelters as the capital came under bombardment. Residential buildings sustained direct hits, causing casualties and extensive property damage. The attacks knocked out heating and water services in several neighborhoods, creating additional suffering for civilians.
In Kharkiv, Mayor Igor Terekhov confirmed that Iranian-manufactured Shahed drones were used to attack multiple residential complexes. The drone strikes caused significant damage to civilian infrastructure, highlighting Russia’s continued targeting of non-military areas. Kharkiv has endured relentless attacks throughout the conflict.
Despite the violence, diplomatic efforts intensified with two-day talks in Abu Dhabi bringing together American, Russian, and Ukrainian representatives. The UAE foreign ministry described the negotiations as focused on “promoting dialogue and identifying political solutions to the crisis.” The Donbas region remained the central obstacle, with Russia demanding Ukrainian military withdrawal from the eastern territories.
Ukrainian President Zelensky suggested that peace proposals were “nearly ready” following his discussions with President Trump. He proposed creating a free trade zone in eastern Ukraine under Kyiv’s control, suggesting economic benefits. Meanwhile, Russian President Putin met with Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, as multiple diplomatic channels operated in parallel throughout the weekend in pursuit of a settlement.