At least one person was killed and 15 injured in Russian infrastructure attacks on Kyiv and Kharkiv, yet diplomatic hope emerged from ongoing peace negotiations in Abu Dhabi. The strikes disrupted heat and water services while negotiators worked toward a settlement.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko alerted Kyiv residents via social media that the capital faced a “massive enemy attack,” directing them to seek shelter immediately. The strikes targeted residential buildings and critical infrastructure, causing casualties and widespread damage. Heat and water systems were knocked offline in several neighborhoods, leaving thousands without essential services.
In Kharkiv, Iranian-made Shahed drones attacked multiple residential complexes, as confirmed by Mayor Igor Terekhov. The drone strikes caused significant damage to civilian infrastructure, highlighting Russia’s continued targeting of non-military areas. The northeastern city has endured relentless bombardment due to its strategic location.
Despite the violence, diplomatic channels remained active with American, Russian, and Ukrainian representatives meeting in Abu Dhabi for two-day talks. The UAE foreign ministry characterized the negotiations as focused on “promoting dialogue and identifying political solutions to the crisis.” President Zelensky suggested that peace proposals were “nearly ready,” offering cautious hope for a diplomatic breakthrough.
Ukrainian President Zelensky proposed creating a free trade zone in eastern Ukraine under Kyiv’s control following his meeting with President Trump. He framed the proposal as economically beneficial amid ongoing territorial disputes. President Putin engaged separately with Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, as all parties pursued multiple diplomatic pathways.
