Russian attacks on Kyiv and Kharkiv killed at least one person and wounded 15 others, occurring as Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner engaged with Russian President Putin. The strikes on residential areas proceeded even as high-level diplomatic contacts intensified.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko warned residents that the capital faced a “massive enemy attack,” directing them to seek immediate shelter. The bombardment targeted residential buildings, causing casualties and significant infrastructure damage. Heat and water services were knocked offline in several neighborhoods, affecting thousands of residents.
In Kharkiv, Iranian-made Shahed drones attacked multiple residential complexes, as confirmed by Mayor Igor Terekhov. The drone strikes caused widespread damage to civilian housing, continuing Russia’s pattern of targeting non-military areas. The northeastern city has endured relentless bombardment throughout the conflict.
Despite the violence, diplomatic engagement intensified with Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner meeting Russian President Putin to discuss Ukraine settlement. Separately, American, Russian, and Ukrainian representatives convened in Abu Dhabi for two-day talks. The UAE foreign ministry described the discussions as focused on “promoting dialogue and identifying political solutions to the crisis.”
Ukrainian President Zelensky announced that peace proposals were approaching completion following his meeting with President Trump. He proposed creating a free trade zone in eastern Ukraine under Kyiv’s control. The multiple diplomatic channels, including the Witkoff-Kushner engagement with Putin, represented sustained effort toward peace.