Russia launched fresh drone attacks across Ukraine overnight, hitting multiple locations and causing casualties, despite a stated commitment to pause strikes on the capital, Kyiv, for 72 hours. The strikes came as U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Kyiv for peace talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, following discussions in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Overnight, the Ukrainian air force reported that Russia launched a total of 108 drones, with 82 being intercepted. The strikes reportedly hit 11 locations across the country. In Zaporizhzhia, a 74-year-old man was killed and three others were injured. Ukrainian President Zelensky stated that Russia carried out "deliberate" strikes on airports in Kyiv and Boryspil, suggesting they were a reaction to the potential use of aircraft by the U.S. delegation.
Witkoff and Kushner, acting as envoys for Donald Trump, held over three hours of closed-door negotiations with Putin in Moscow on Saturday. Putin described the conflict as a "complicated situation" but praised Trump's efforts to end the war. Russian foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov characterized the talks as "constructive, frank and useful," noting that economic issues and potential joint projects were also discussed in detail.
During the Moscow talks, both Putin and Zelensky agreed to a temporary halt in strikes on each other's capitals. Putin ordered no strikes against Kyiv for 72 hours starting from midnight, while Zelensky stated Ukraine would refrain from strikes on Moscow through Monday. These measures were in place as the U.S. envoys proceeded with their diplomatic mission.
Trump stated that Witkoff and Kushner, whom he called "great negotiators," were carrying a proposal to end the war. He indicated there was a "good chance" of a resolution but did not confirm if the plan involved Ukraine ceding territory. This diplomatic push occurs as U.S. attention has been largely focused on the Iran war in recent months.
Witkoff and Kushner previously visited Moscow in January for similar discussions. Their arrival in Kyiv on Sunday was met with preparedness from the Ukrainian side. President Zelensky conveyed on social media that Ukraine was ready for constructive dialogue, emphasizing the need for peace, security guarantees, and a dignified postwar settlement. He stated that Ukraine's proposals were ready and stressed the importance of a coordinated, substantive, and realistic approach.
Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov indicated that Moscow has not ruled out a trilateral meeting involving the presidents of Russia, the U.S., and China. However, he stressed the need to define the meeting's agenda first. Earlier in September, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov had raised the possibility of such a meeting at the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation summit in November.
Ryabkov also cautioned the U.S. regarding efforts to end the conflict, stating that the key question is the extent to which the U.S. administration is prepared to invest in finding a real solution, considering the realities on the ground, which he described as not developing in Kyiv's favor. The current escalation of long-range attacks has driven civilian casualties to levels not seen since the beginning of the conflict.