Russia Strikes Ukraine: Nearly Four Years of War as Breakthrough Talks Underway

At least one person died and 15 were injured in Russian attacks on Kyiv and Kharkiv, highlighting the human toll of a conflict approaching its fourth year. The strikes on residential areas occurred as potentially breakthrough talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States proceeded in Abu Dhabi.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko warned Kyiv residents via social media that the capital faced a “massive enemy attack,” directing people to seek shelter immediately. The strikes targeted residential buildings, resulting in casualties and extensive property damage. Heat and water infrastructure sustained significant damage, leaving parts of the city without essential services.
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, demonstrating Russia’s continued targeting of non-military infrastructure. The city has faced relentless bombardment throughout the nearly four-year conflict.
Despite the violence, high-level diplomatic discussions continued in Abu Dhabi where American, Russian, and Ukrainian representatives engaged in two-day talks. The UAE foreign ministry characterized the negotiations as focused on “promoting dialogue and identifying political solutions to the crisis.” The Donbas region remained a critical obstacle, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov maintaining Russia’s demand for Ukrainian military withdrawal.
Ukrainian President Zelensky expressed cautious optimism following his meeting with President Trump, suggesting that peace proposals were “nearly ready.” He proposed creating a free trade zone in eastern Ukraine under Kyiv’s control, which he discussed with the American leader. President Putin engaged separately with Trump’s envoys, as all parties pursued a diplomatic resolution.