Russia launched a major overnight missile assault on Kyiv and several other Ukrainian regions, killing at least four people and injuring dozens, while Moscow claimed its air defences intercepted more than 800 Ukrainian drones targeting the Russian capital and other cities.
The attacks came just hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed in principle to resume trilateral peace negotiations involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States. The agreement followed discussions in St. Petersburg with U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, who had previously met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Norway.
Ukrainian officials reported that Russian strikes targeted 12 regions overnight, damaging residential buildings, transportation infrastructure, commercial properties and energy facilities. In Kyiv, 21 ballistic missiles struck in three waves, killing one person and damaging apartment complexes, shopping centres, a railway station and parts of the subway system. Zelenskyy also accused Russia of using three ballistic missiles equipped with cluster munitions.
In the northeastern Kharkiv region, two women aged 50 and 60 were killed when Russian forces struck a market in Lozova. Another person died in separate attacks in the region, while several children were among those injured across Ukraine.
The latest bombardment comes amid an intensified Russian campaign against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure ahead of winter. According to Zelenskyy, Russian forces have carried out approximately 170 strikes against critical energy facilities since October 11, raising concerns about widespread disruptions to electricity, heating and water supplies during the colder months.
Zelenskyy criticized Moscow’s continued military operations, arguing that the attacks demonstrate Russia’s unwillingness to pursue a genuine peace settlement. He also urged Washington to provide additional Patriot air defence ammunition and strengthen economic sanctions against Russia, warning that reduced military assistance and easing international pressure could encourage further aggression.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed its forces intercepted 808 Ukrainian drones overnight, including approximately 630 reportedly directed toward Moscow. Two people were reported injured, while several airports in the Russian capital temporarily suspended operations. Moscow also claimed to have struck Ukrainian facilities involved in producing and storing drones and cruise missiles, along with military-related infrastructure in Kyiv and Odesa.
Diplomatic tensions have intensified following reports that the Trump administration agreed to import Russian diesel and eased certain sanctions against Moscow. Ukrainian officials also criticized Witkoff for describing Putin as a humanitarian after the Russian president authorized the release of an imprisoned American teacher.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov defended Washington’s diplomatic efforts while accusing European governments of contributing to the conflict’s escalation. He also confirmed that Putin had received an invitation to attend the G20 summit in Miami in December, although no decision had been made regarding his participation.
Despite renewed discussions about negotiations, Russia and Ukraine remain divided over the conditions required to end the war. Previous rounds of U.S.-mediated talks in the United Arab Emirates and Switzerland produced limited progress beyond prisoner exchanges.
In a separate development Thursday, Ukraine confirmed receiving the bodies of 252 people identified by Russia as Ukrainian soldiers, while Moscow received the remains of 25 Russian military personnel.
The latest escalation underscores the continuing violence and diplomatic uncertainty surrounding the conflict, even as international efforts to restart peace negotiations gain momentum.
