Four civilians were killed and several more wounded in Russian attacks across Ukraine overnight, underscoring the fragile security environment as the United States prepares a high‑profile diplomatic mission.
US envoys arrive amid intensified fighting
President Donald Trump has dispatched senior advisers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the President’s son‑in‑law, to Kyiv in hopes of reviving peace talks. The visit comes as both sides have stepped up aerial operations along the 1,250‑kilometer front line.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pledged to halt Ukrainian airstrikes during the envoys’ stay and urged Moscow to do the same, stating, “We will ensure the normal functioning of Russian airspace so that the negotiators can arrive safely.”
Casualties and damage
In the southern Dnipropetrovsk region, a Russian strike on an industrial facility killed four people and wounded five. A separate attack in the Nikopol district injured a 62‑year‑old man and damaged several private homes and an apartment building.
In the Kyiv region, an overnight strike in the Boryspil district sparked a fire that partially destroyed a nine‑story residential building, wounding two more residents. A shopping center in Mykolaiv was also hit by drones, injuring a 72‑year‑old man and a 17‑year‑old girl.
Russian and Ukrainian air activity
Russia launched ballistic missiles from its Rostov and Voronezh regions and deployed 167 attack drones, including jet‑powered Shahed‑type aircraft, Geran drones, and decoys. Ukraine’s air force reported shooting down or suppressing 128 of those drones.
Ukrainian forces also struck Russia’s Belgorod border region, wounding three people, including a 14‑year‑old girl. Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed to have downed 53 Ukrainian drones in the same period.
Looking ahead
The upcoming US diplomatic effort aims to create a cease‑fire window for negotiations, but the recent surge in attacks highlights the challenges ahead. Both sides face pressure to demonstrate restraint while maintaining military readiness.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
