Russia’s latest attacks kill seven in Ukraine as U.S., European and Ukrainian officials push forward with tense negotiations on a revised peace plan.
Deadly Strikes Hit Ukraine as New Peace Talks Intensify
Escalation Amid Diplomatic Push
At least seven people were killed early Tuesday after Russia launched a barrage of missiles and drones across Ukraine, striking residential areas and energy facilities during the overnight hours. The assault unfolded just as U.S. officials resumed high-level negotiations on a revised peace framework aimed at ending the nearly four-year-old conflict.
Cross-Border Spillover Near NATO Territory
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia fired 22 missiles and more than 460 drones across the country, prompting Romania and Germany to scramble NATO fighter jets near the Romanian frontier to monitor airspace breaches. Romanian officials said the drones came dangerously close to being shot down, highlighting the ongoing risk to NATO’s eastern flank.
Allies Reassess Peace Plan Details
The renewed hostilities coincided with U.S.-Ukraine consultations in Geneva, where delegates reviewed elements of a proposed U.S.-brokered peace plan. Ukrainian representative Oleksandr Bevz described the meetings as “constructive,” though leaders in Kyiv and European capitals continue to voice concerns about terms that could disadvantage Ukraine or restrict its long-term security.
International Leaders Weigh Conditions
French President Emmanuel Macron said the American proposal “moves in the right direction” but warned it must not create an outcome that allows Russia to resume aggression later. Ottawa confirmed Canada’s participation in a virtual meeting hosted by France and the U.K. to examine how a potential ceasefire could be monitored and enforced by allied states.
Moscow Signals Uncertainty Over Amendments
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Moscow has not yet received the updated version of the U.S. proposal. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov added that the Kremlin accepted an earlier draft but is awaiting amendments aligned with discussions between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump during their meeting in Alaska earlier this year.
Civilian Toll Mounts in Kyiv
In Kyiv, strikes triggered fires in residential buildings and cut power, water and heating for thousands of residents. Local officials reported casualties in the Dniprovskyi and Sviatoshynyi districts, where emergency crews battled intense flames. Residents described shattered windows and debris raining into apartments as rescue teams rushed to evacuate survivors.
Ukrainian Drone Strike Hits Russia
Russia also reported casualties overnight after Ukrainian drones struck Taganrog in the Rostov region, killing three and injuring at least eight more. Local authorities said the attack damaged homes, apartment blocks and several civilian facilities, while Moscow claimed its air defences intercepted 249 Ukrainian drones across multiple regions and the Black Sea.
Uncertain Path Toward Ceasefire
Despite the ongoing violence, U.S. officials say talks in Abu Dhabi—led by Army Secretary Dan Driscoll—are progressing. Washington maintains it is coordinating closely with Kyiv and European partners to refine terms that ensure Ukraine’s long-term sovereignty. Yet with both sides exchanging some of the heaviest attacks in recent weeks, a path to a durable ceasefire remains deeply uncertain.
