At least one person was killed and 15 injured as the casualty count rose in Russian attacks on Kyiv and Kharkiv, occurring as diplomatic efforts intensified dramatically. The strikes added to mounting casualties while peace negotiations entered a more intensive phase.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko issued warnings that Kyiv’s casualty count was rising during a “massive enemy attack.” The bombardment targeted residential buildings, causing deaths, injuries, and extensive property damage. The casualty count included both immediate victims and those affected by infrastructure damage as heat and water services failed.
In Kharkiv, the casualty count rose as Iranian-made Shahed drones attacked residential complexes, confirmed Mayor Igor Terekhov. The drone strikes caused mounting casualties among civilian populations. The northeastern city’s casualty count has grown steadily throughout the nearly four-year conflict.
Despite rising casualty counts, diplomatic efforts intensified dramatically on multiple fronts. In Abu Dhabi, American, Russian, and Ukrainian representatives engaged in intensive two-day talks. Separately, President Zelensky met with President Trump, while President Putin held discussions with Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The UAE foreign ministry described the talks as efforts “to promote dialogue and identify political solutions.”
Ukrainian President Zelensky announced that peace proposals were “nearly ready” as diplomatic efforts intensified. He proposed creating a free trade zone in eastern Ukraine under Kyiv’s control. The dramatically intensified diplomatic activity suggested all parties recognized the urgency of achieving peace.