Russia strikes Kyiv hours after agreeing to resume peace talks

· Security · Russia · Ukraine

Russia launched waves of ballistic missiles at Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities hours after Vladimir Putin said Moscow was ready in principle to resume trilateral talks with the US and Ukraine. Ukrainian authorities said seven people were killed in the strikes. Moscow said it had intercepted 630 Ukrainian drones targeting the Russian capital, in an exchange of fire after US envoy Steve Witkoff met Putin in St. Petersburg. Putin said talks must focus on security for Russia, Ukraine and Europe overall, and confirmed readiness to resume US-mediated talks in November. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the attacks showed "no real change" in the Kremlin's position. Experts say Russia is trying to destroy Ukraine's energy infrastructure before winter.

Why it matters：Strikes immediately after a diplomatic opening cast doubt on whether talks can deliver a ceasefire, and attacks on energy infrastructure threaten Ukrainian civilians through the winter.

Key points

  • Seven killed in Ukraine in the strikes, authorities said
  • Russia said it intercepted 630 Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow
  • Putin confirmed readiness for US-mediated talks in November

Sources (original reporting)

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