Ukraine accused Russia of maintaining its aggressive war stance following a surge of ballistic missile strikes that struck multiple Ukrainian regions shortly after a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. The attacks, which took place overnight and into Sunday, caused fatalities and numerous injuries, underscoring Moscow’s continued military pressure despite diplomatic overtures.
Air raid sirens sounded throughout Kyiv, where two civilians were killed and more than 30 wounded amid attacks that damaged residential buildings, energy infrastructure, shops, cafes, and a monastery. In the eastern city of Lozova, two women, aged 50 and 60, were killed and dozens more wounded during a missile strike on a crowded market. Ukrainian authorities also reported injuries in the Moscow region after Ukraine launched its own sizable drone assault.
The missile strikes coincided with Kremlin statements expressing willingness to resume trilateral talks involving Kyiv, Washington, and Moscow in the coming month. However, Russia dismissed new proposals presented by Witkoff, which had been developed in coordination with European nations and Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Moscow’s gestures as insincere, saying the attacks began "almost immediately" after Putin’s talks with Witkoff in Saint Petersburg and criticized the description of Putin as a “humanitarian” by the U.S. envoy.
Kyiv called for increased deliveries of advanced U.S.-made Patriot missile defense systems, noting that Moscow appeared emboldened by a slowdown in air-defense supplies from Western partners. NATO announced it was permitting Ukraine to purchase weapons through its central procurement agency on a case-by-case basis. Despite these efforts, Zelensky warned of continued missile and drone strikes, highlighting a pattern of targeting civilian areas, including the use of cluster munitions, which disperse numerous small explosives over wide regions and are considered by some observers, including Human Rights Watch, as potential war crimes.
The conflict, which began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022, has evolved into the deadliest military confrontation in Europe since World War II. The war has resulted in extensive human casualties, widespread displacement, and significant destruction across eastern and southern Ukraine.
Zelensky met with Witkoff in Norway on Tuesday amid deteriorating relations with the U.S. administration. Tensions have escalated since former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly criticized Zelensky in 2025, subsequently blocking new sanctions on Russia, agreeing to purchase Russian diesel, and calling for Zelensky’s removal. Trump conveyed optimism after his envoy’s visit to Russia, suggesting negotiations might be closer to resolution than before. Nonetheless, officials in Kyiv and European capitals expressed skepticism about a potential breakthrough, voicing concerns that the current U.S. administration may be tilting toward Moscow.
The planned resumption of trilateral negotiations faces significant challenges. Russia demands Ukraine withdraw from territories under Russian control in the Donetsk region and imposes strict political and military conditions, including limitations on Ukraine's armed forces and Western alliances. Ukraine rejects these terms as unacceptable concessions that could expose it to renewed aggression.
In addition, Moscow announced preparations for a summit involving Trump, Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping slated for China next month, raising concerns among Europeans and Kyiv about possible agreements reached without their input. Witkoff described his discussions with Putin as “constructive” but emphasized the need for continued technical-level talks among all parties to resolve outstanding issues.