Russian strikes kill five in Ukraine as Moscow and Kyiv prepare for US envoys’ visit

Five people were killed in overnight Russian attacks in Ukraine as Moscow and Kyiv prepared for a visit by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, part of a new attempt to revive peace talks. Kushner, who is also President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, is expected in Kyiv after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

The air war has intensified while Russian and Ukrainian forces struggle to make progress along the 1,250-kilometer front line. Russia has recently used fast-flying, jet-powered drones, and air-raid sirens have become a regular feature of life in Kyiv.

“

Clearly, these Russian strikes on the airports are a reaction to the discussions and preparations for the possibility of the US side using an aircraft to travel to Ukraine.

Zelenskyy said Friday that Ukraine would stop air attacks during the envoys’ visit and called on Moscow to do the same. But he said Russia launched overnight strikes on Kyiv and Boryspil International Airports. “Clearly, these Russian strikes on the airports are a reaction to the discussions and preparations for the possibility of the US side using an aircraft to travel to Ukraine,” he said.

“We have taken note of this Russian move, and next week we will adjust our operation accordingly regarding Russian airspace, which has become dangerous because of our drones and missiles in the sky. Of course, there are and will be no threats to diplomacy from our side,” Zelenskyy added.

“

We have taken note of this Russian move, and next week we will adjust our operation accordingly regarding Russian airspace, which has become dangerous because of our drones and missiles in the sky. Of course, there are and will be no threats to diplomacy from our side.

Four people were killed and five wounded at an industrial facility in the southern Dnipropetrovsk region, according to regional military administration head Oleksandr Hanzha. He identified the dead as a locksmith, electrician, plumber and machinist. A separate attack wounded a 62-year-old man and damaged homes and an apartment building in the Nikopol district.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said it had struck two metallurgical plants, calling them major suppliers of metal products for Ukraine’s military production. In the Kyiv region, another two people were wounded, and a fire partially destroyed a nine-story residential building in Boryspil. Russian forces also repeatedly struck a shopping center in the southern Mykolaiv region, although the supplied article ends before providing further details.

“

A locksmith, an electrician, a plumber and a machinist. People of peaceful professions. They were simply working their shift. They were doing their job when enemy missiles cut off their lives.