Russia Strikes Ukraine: Residential Complexes Hit as Zelensky Reports Peace Progress

Russian attacks on Kyiv and Kharkiv killed at least one person and wounded 15 others, with residential complexes bearing the brunt of the assault. The strikes continued even as Ukrainian President Zelensky announced that peace proposals were nearing completion following discussions with President Trump.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko issued urgent warnings about a “massive enemy attack” on the capital, instructing residents to remain in shelters. The bombardment targeted residential buildings, resulting in casualties and widespread damage. Critical infrastructure including heat and water systems was knocked offline in multiple neighborhoods, creating additional hardships for civilians.
Mayor Igor Terekhov reported that Kharkiv experienced attacks from Iranian-made Shahed drones, which damaged several residential complexes. The drone strikes highlighted Russia’s continued targeting of civilian infrastructure rather than military installations. The northeastern city has faced relentless bombardment due to its strategic location.
In Abu Dhabi, negotiators from Russia, Ukraine, and the United States convened for two-day talks aimed at ending the nearly four-year conflict. The UAE foreign ministry described the discussions as focused on “promoting dialogue and identifying political solutions to the crisis.” The Donbas region remained a significant obstacle, with Russia maintaining its demand for Ukrainian military withdrawal from the eastern territories.
President Zelensky expressed cautious optimism following his meeting with President Trump, announcing that peace proposals were approaching finalization. He also proposed establishing a free trade zone in eastern Ukraine under Ukrainian control, suggesting it would benefit businesses. Meanwhile, President Putin met with Trump’s envoys, and all parties agreed to continue weekend negotiations despite ongoing violence and deep-seated territorial disagreements.