Russia Strikes Kyiv Amid Peace Talks Progress

Russia launched a significant wave of attacks on Kyiv overnight, resulting in the deaths of at least seven people and injuring over 20 others, according to the Associated Press. The strikes targeted city buildings and energy infrastructure, causing widespread damage and knocking out essential services such as water, electricity, and heating in parts of the capital.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Russia fired 22 missiles and over 460 drones during the assault, with video footage showing a large fire engulfing a nine-story residential building in the Dniprovskyi district of Kyiv.

In response to these attacks, Ukrainian forces conducted a drone strike on Russia's southern Rostov region, killing three people and injuring eight others in Taganrog, as reported by Governor Yuri Slyusar.

The ongoing violence occurs against the backdrop of renewed peace talks, with U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll meeting with Russian officials in Abu Dhabi to discuss a potential peace plan. While Oleksandr Bevz, a Ukrainian delegate, confirmed that the proposed U.S. peace plan has been revised from 28 points to a smaller number, he emphasized that some points unrelated to Ukraine were excluded.

President Zelenskyy expressed cautious optimism about the peace talks, indicating that a workable list of necessary steps to end the war could emerge from recent discussions in Geneva. However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Moscow is still awaiting a version of the U.S. proposal that aligns with their expectations.

European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, have urged that any peace agreement must not lead to a capitulation that would allow Russia to renew hostilities. Macron underscored the need for robust security guarantees for Ukraine and insisted that the size of its armed forces should not be restricted.

The humanitarian impact of the conflict continues to be severe, with local residents like 90-year-old Liubov Petrivna expressing skepticism about the potential for peace, stating that her apartment was devastated by the strikes, leaving her feeling that no action would be taken to address the situation.

The situation remains dire as both sides engage in military actions while pursuing diplomatic solutions.