Russia launched a series of ballistic missile strikes against Ukraine, including the capital Kyiv, shortly after a meeting between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the attacks reflected Moscow’s unchanged stance on the conflict, which began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
The missile strikes targeted multiple sites across at least a dozen Ukrainian regions, with Kyiv among the hardest hit. At least two people were killed and 34 were injured, including five children. Damage was reported to residential buildings, energy infrastructure, medical facilities, shopping centers, a bridge, and historical sites, including the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery. Ukrainian officials noted that Kyiv was unable to intercept the missiles due to depleted supplies of US-supplied Patriot air defense interceptor missiles.
Zelensky described the strikes as occurring “almost immediately” after Witkoff’s hours-long talks with Putin and criticized what he called Russian “humanitarian” attacks, referring to the envoy’s public praise of Putin as a humanitarian figure during their meeting. Witkoff had commended Putin following Moscow’s release of an elderly US citizen detained in Russia on charges of fighting for Ukraine, calling the Russian leader a “humanitarian”.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha rejected the envoy’s characterization, saying the missile attacks demonstrated “what Russian ‘humanism’ truly sounds like” and warned that “appeasement, servility and flattery will not stop this war.” Zelensky called on Western allies to maintain strong pressure on Moscow and to increase supplies of air defense systems.
The reported missile attacks included the use of cluster munitions, which disperse multiple smaller bomblets over a wide area and are banned under a 2010 treaty signed by over 120 countries; however, neither Russia nor Ukraine is a signatory. Zelensky highlighted these munitions had been used against Kyiv on previous occasions.
The military offensive coincides with ongoing diplomatic efforts. Russia signaled willingness to resume trilateral talks with Ukraine and the United States, although it dismissed the recent proposals presented by Witkoff—developed in consultation with European partners and Kyiv—as lacking substance. Witkoff described his talks with Putin as “constructive” and indicated that technical-level discussions would continue among the three parties.
Meanwhile, tensions remain high as US President Donald Trump, whose administration has taken a notably distinct approach to Russia compared to prior US policy, recently blocked new sanctions on Moscow and facilitated a deal for the purchase of Russian diesel fuel. Trump has also called for a change in Ukraine’s leadership, a position criticized in Kyiv and by European capitals. Additionally, reports have surfaced of a planned summit involving Trump, Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping in China next month, a prospect that has raised concerns among Ukrainian and European officials about decisions being made without their involvement.
The conflict, now entering its third year, has resulted in significant casualties and displacement, with extensive destruction reported in eastern and southern Ukraine. Both sides have repeatedly accused each other of aggressive military tactics, with little progress achieved in diplomatic negotiations to date.