Ukraine reported at least one death and 22 injuries following Russian strikes on Kyiv overnight into Thursday. The attacks occurred shortly after United States special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg, highlighting the volatile disconnect between diplomatic efforts and military operations on the ground.
Ukraine’s national emergency service stated that the overnight bombardment injured 22 people, including four children. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that metro infrastructure was damaged at the Pivdenny Bridge, which spans the Dnipro River. The incident underscores the ongoing vulnerability of the Ukrainian capital despite international diplomatic engagements.
Witkoff Meets Putin in St Petersburg
The violence followed a high-profile meeting between Witkoff and Putin at the Constantine Palace on Wednesday. During the visit, Russia released jailed US teacher Stephen Hubbard, a move described as a goodwill gesture. Witkoff publicly praised Putin as a humanitarian following the release.
US President Donald Trump subsequently stated that the war in Ukraine may be closer to ending than at any point previously. However, the Kremlin remained cautious. While Moscow indicated it was willing in principle to restart US-mediated talks, it criticized Ukrainian and European peace proposals for lacking substance.
Witkoff told Putin that Washington was grateful for a separate agreement allowing heavily sanctioned Russia to sell diesel fuel. This deal, intended to reduce fuel prices amid the US-Israel conflict with Iran, sparked outrage in Kyiv and across Europe. Trump had previously delayed a new wave of Russia-related sanctions, defending the decision as necessary to secure Hubbard’s release.
Ukraine and Russia Trade Attacks
The diplomatic developments were overshadowed by a massive exchange of military strikes. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that two people were wounded after Ukraine launched a barrage of 630 drones across the region. Sobyanin noted that 163 drones were targeted at the capital and that most were intercepted.
Regional governors reported additional damage and casualties. The governor of the Tula region stated that Russian air defenses destroyed 70 drones. In the Lipetsk region, another man was wounded. These attacks represent a significant escalation in the drone warfare that has characterized recent months of the conflict.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha strongly rejected the notion that diplomatic concessions would halt the war. He posted on X that appeasement, servility, and flattery would not stop Russia’s campaign. Sybiha argued that only strength would end the conflict, reflecting the deep skepticism in Kyiv toward the recent diplomatic overtures.
The war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, has killed tens of thousands of people. Putin has consistently refused face-to-face talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and has insisted that Moscow intends to seize the rest of eastern Ukraine. The latest round of strikes and diplomatic maneuvers suggests that while the rhetoric of peace is intensifying, the reality on the battlefield remains unchanged.
Source: Al Jazeera
