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Russian strikes on Ukraine killed at least six people Wednesday, hours after Presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in New York. The attacks killed two people in Kyiv and four in the eastern Donetsk region. Dozens more suffered injuries.
The Sept. 23 strikes came as international leaders gathered for the United Nations General Assembly. Zelenskyy and Trump discussed possible steps toward peace during a meeting Tuesday.
Russian Strikes on Ukraine Target Kyiv
Russian forces launched a rare daytime drone attack on Kyiv that continued into Wednesday afternoon. The assault killed two people and injured 41, according to sources.
Black smoke rose over the Ukrainian capital as drones struck several locations. Officials reported fires and damage at commercial buildings, warehouses and other sites.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said a drone struck a nine-story, nonresidential building. A business center and two gas stations also came under attack.
Ukraine’s national railway operator reported damage to rail infrastructure. One railway employee suffered injuries.
Ukrainian officials said Russia used several jet-powered drones. These weapons travel faster and at higher altitudes than many other drones, making interception more difficult.
In the Donetsk region, a separate Russian aerial bomb attack struck a front-line village. Regional officials said four people died and four others suffered injuries.
A strike in Zaporizhzhia also wounded two men and started a large fire at a shopping center. Emergency crews contained the fire after it spread across roughly 1.5 acres.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said its forces targeted Ukraine’s military industry, energy facilities and logistics centers. Ukrainian officials said the attacks also damaged civilian and critical infrastructure.
Trump and Zelenskyy Discuss Energy Ceasefire
The strikes followed a 40-minute meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy at U.N. headquarters Tuesday. The leaders discussed the war, Ukraine’s air defenses and a possible pause in attacks on energy infrastructure.
Zelenskyy described the meeting as positive but said the two sides reached no formal agreement.
Ukraine is prepared to stop attacking Russian refineries if Moscow ends strikes against Ukraine’s power, heating and water systems, Zelenskyy told reporters. Kyiv has increased attacks on Russian fuel facilities after years of Russian strikes against Ukraine’s energy network.
Trump has expressed concern that damage to Russian refineries could worsen global diesel shortages and raise prices. Before the private meeting, he said the Ukrainian attacks had seriously affected Russia and fuel markets.
Trump also voiced confidence that an agreement could eventually end the war. However, the Kremlin said Wednesday that no concrete plans existed for high-level talks between Russian and American officials.
Ukraine Seeks More Air Defense Systems
Zelenskyy used his U.N. visit to renew Ukraine’s request for more U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems. Ukraine uses the systems to counter Russian ballistic missiles and other aerial threats.
Supplies remain limited as the United States and its allies face competing security demands. Zelenskyy said Washington had responded positively to Ukraine’s request but had provided no specific commitment.
The Ukrainian president also warned before Wednesday’s attack that intelligence indicated Russia was preparing another major strike.
Russia’s latest attacks underline the continuing danger to civilians as diplomatic efforts move forward. International negotiations remain unresolved, while communities across Ukraine continue to face drones, missiles and damage to essential services.