Kyiv experienced widespread power outages on Saturday following fresh Russian missile strikes, according to DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private energy company. The firm reported that the capital city faced “large-scale power outages” and noted that restoration schedules were not yet in effect.
The renewed attacks coincided with a deadly strike on Ukraine’s southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia, where at least 11 civilians, including three children, were killed. Regional authorities said Russian forces targeted residential areas early Saturday, dropping five guided aerial bombs on two apartment buildings. Emergency responders continued to search for survivors amid the rubble.
Mykhailo Semikin, head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration, confirmed the rising civilian toll and emphasized ongoing rescue efforts. Eyewitnesses described harrowing scenes, including volunteers pulling trapped residents from the debris. One 69-year-old resident identified only as Iryna recounted narrowly escaping the blasts after seeking shelter during the air raid warning, while her elderly neighbors did not survive. The Zaporizhzhia region, located close to the active front line, has faced frequent strikes in recent months as Russia intensified attacks on Ukrainian territory.
The strikes occurred shortly after a diplomatic meeting in Miami involving officials from the United States, Ukraine, the European Union, and NATO. The discussions aimed to explore pathways to de-escalate the conflict and pursue a lasting resolution ahead of winter. US envoy Steve Witkoff described the talks as “constructive,” focusing on topics such as energy resilience, grain exports, security guarantees, and long-term arrangements for regional stability.
US President Donald Trump, who took office earlier this year, engaged in a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, presenting proposals to reduce tensions, according to the Kremlin. Russian officials stated that Putin received Trump’s ideas “with understanding,” though details of the proposals and Moscow’s response were not disclosed.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky linked the recent attacks to Moscow’s reaction to a diesel export agreement between the United States and Russia. He criticized the Russian strikes as a form of retaliation, highlighting the civilian casualties caused by the bombardment in Zaporizhzhia.
Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, the conflict remains stalled, with both sides increasing long-range attacks. The humanitarian toll continues to mount as military operations persist across contested areas, while international stakeholders continue seeking a resolution to the more than four-year war.