Russia launched a deadly overnight drone strike on Kyiv, killing at least one person and injuring 19, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Residential buildings in the Vyshhorod area were heavily damaged as emergency crews worked through the night.
“Such attacks happen every day,” Zelenskyy said, emphasizing the strain on Ukraine’s defenses as Russia escalates its aerial campaign.
Delegation Travels to Florida for High-Stakes Negotiations
The attack coincided with Zelenskyy’s top advisers traveling to the United States for key discussions with the Trump administration on a proposed peace plan. The delegation is expected to meet in Florida with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, White House envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner.
Witkoff is then scheduled to visit Moscow next week to present the U.S. proposal to Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, skepticism remains high; Putin has repeatedly suggested that talks with Zelenskyy are “pointless,” raising doubts about whether any plan acceptable to Kyiv could win his approval.
Contentious Issues Remain Unresolved
This round of talks follows earlier negotiations in Geneva, where a 28-point U.S. plan was trimmed to 19 points but left major sticking points unsettled—particularly whether Ukraine might cede territory and whether it could pursue future NATO membership.
The Ukrainian delegation is led by National Security Council head Rustem Umerov. His role comes amid political turbulence at home, including the resignation of Zelenskyy’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak following a corruption scandal.
Intensifying Air Campaign Sparks Urgency
Zelenskyy said Russia has launched roughly 1,400 drones, 66 missiles, and over a thousand aerial bombs in the past week alone, underscoring the growing pressure as peace talks advance.
“This is why we must strengthen Ukraine’s resilience every single day,” he said, calling for continued air-defense support and “real, reliable solutions” to bring the war to an end.
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