Russia to join US-Ukraine talks after overnight strikes on Kyiv energy sites
Moscow is preparing for trilateral negotiations in Abu Dhabi following a series of missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure.
Russia launched 36 ballistic missiles and 172 drones at Ukraine overnight, hitting energy infrastructure in Kyiv and several other regions, according to the Times of India.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the 36 missiles targeted Kyiv and its surrounding areas, specifically hitting energy facilities. The strikes damaged a kindergarten, the Northern Bridge, and residential buildings, while disrupting water, heating, and electricity in the capital.
Zelenskyy stated that a substation connecting the Rivne and Khmelnytskyi nuclear power plants to central Ukraine was hit. Attacks also affected Vinnytsia, Zhytomyr, Rivne, Kharkiv, and Dnipro, leaving nine people injured, including a child.
The President said Russia is launching missiles at critical infrastructure while preparing for trilateral talks. He requested the United States to increase bilateral support and keep Ukraine a policy priority.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Interfax that the Russian delegation for the upcoming talks will include diplomats and senior military officials. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday in Abu Dhabi.
The Russian team will be led by Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky and include deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov and senior General Staff officer Yuri Zhigarlovsky. President Vladimir Putin met the delegation on Friday to discuss the negotiations.
