Russia Strikes Airports Ahead of Key U.S. Visit, Zelenskyy Says Attack Was Deliberate

Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the strikes on airports in Kyiv and Boryspil as a deliberate Russian message aimed at a planned American diplomatic visit. The Ukrainian president said the two airports had been considered as possible arrival points for U.S. representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

“These were demonstrative attacks on our airports, in Kyiv and Boryspil. Deliberate ones, the first of this kind in a long time,” Zelenskyy said, according to The Kyiv Independent. He directly connected the attacks with preparations for the American delegation’s arrival.

Witkoff and Kushner arrived in Moscow on Saturday for expected talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Their arrival in Kyiv was expected on Sunday, September 6. The visit forms part of a new Washington diplomatic initiative seeking to bring Moscow and Kyiv back toward peace negotiations.

“

These were demonstrative attacks on our airports, in Kyiv and Boryspil. Deliberate ones, the first of this kind in a long time.

Zelenskyy said the Iranian-designed Shahed drones used by Russia represented “a response to American diplomacy.” Ukrainian presidential office chief Kyrylo Budanov said Ukraine had delivered a proposal for a temporary suspension of long-range attacks and hostilities along the front directly to Putin.

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine posed no threat to the American delegation and remained interested in continuing peace efforts. At the same time, he said Ukraine would adjust its actions connected with Russian airspace after the latest strikes. The attacks on the airports formed part of a wider overnight assault that included ballistic missiles and 167 drones across Ukraine.

“

Russian-Iranian Shaheds are a response to American diplomacy.