Russia and Ukraine Trade Major Overnight Attacks Just after US Envoy's Talks, 15 Wounded in Kyiv
Despite renewed diplomatic efforts involving the United States, Russia and Ukraine have exchanged major drone and missile attacks overnight. The attacks came shortly after US envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg for talks on ending the war.
Witkoff described his talks with Putin as 'constructive', while acknowledging that 'important work' remained to be done.
In Ukraine, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko posted on social media that Russian strikes had wounded 15 people in the capital, eight of whom were taken to hospital.
In another post, he said the strikes had damaged metro infrastructure at the Pivdenny Bridge. Officials said traffic between parts of the city had been restricted as a result.
Ukraine's air force posted warnings on Telegram throughout the early hours about 'ballistic missiles towards Kyiv' and fighter jets, instructing residents to stay in shelters.
On Thursday morning, the air force said it had shot down 181 Russian unmanned aerial vehicles overnight, adding that strike drones were still in the air.
In Russia, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said two people had been wounded during mostly intercepted barrages of 630 drones headed towards the region, 163 of which were approaching the capital city.
On the diplomatic front, President Donald Trump said following the meeting between Putin and Witkoff that the two sides were 'the closest we've been' to ending the conflict, although no breakthrough was announced.
The Kremlin said it was 'in principle' willing to resume trilateral talks involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States, potentially in mid-November after the US midterm elections.
Ukraine has also backed renewed trilateral negotiations, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying Kyiv wanted a meeting as soon as possible.
Following the talks, Russia agreed to release US citizen Stephen Hubbard, a retired teacher convicted by Russia of fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine — allegations he has denied.
Trump has delayed further sanctions on Russia, saying doing so had helped secure Hubbard's release. He also struck a fresh agreement with Russia to sell diesel, aimed at reducing fuel prices that have risen during the wider Middle East conflict — a move that has drawn criticism from Kyiv and several European governments.
The result is that attacks on the ground and preparations for talks at the table are proceeding side by side. Whether a trilateral meeting actually takes place, and whether it opens a path to a ceasefire, remains to be seen.
