Russia, Ukraine trade deadly aerial strikes amid US-led peace efforts

Kyiv: Russia and Ukraine have launched fresh aerial attacks, damaging infrastructure and injuring civilians, even as diplomatic efforts continue following talks between US special envoy Steve Witkoff and the two countries’ leaders, Reuters reported.

Russian missile strikes on Kyiv injured around 15 people and damaged transport facilities, including metro infrastructure at the Southern Bridge across the Dnipro River. Authorities imposed traffic restrictions. A separate Russian strike on the city on Wednesday evening had injured six people.

In the Kharkiv region, a Russian attack killed one person and wounded four others. Russian forces also targeted a major energy facility in Kremenchuk, raising concerns over damage to Ukraine’s infrastructure.

Ukraine, meanwhile, launched a drone assault targeting Moscow. Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said 630 drones had been directed towards the Russian capital, with falling debris injuring two people. The attacks also reached Lipetsk, around 400 kilometres south of Moscow, where drones struck apartment buildings and a medical facility. One person was injured, regional governor Igor Artamonov said.

The escalation followed Witkoff’s meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin as Washington attempts to broker an end to the conflict.

Zelenskyy has backed a US proposal for trilateral negotiations involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States, urging that discussions begin soon. Putin has also agreed to resume US-mediated peace talks with Kyiv next month.

However, the latest attacks highlight the gap between diplomacy and developments on the battlefield. With both sides continuing to strike each other’s territory and infrastructure, hopes for a breakthrough remain uncertain, while civilians bear the consequences of the devastating prolonged war.