By Benson Daniel
Russia has resumed large scale missile and drone strikes on Ukraine, including the capital Kyiv, just hours after US President Donald Trump’s envoys left the country following talks aimed at reviving efforts to end the war.
The overnight assault on Tuesday ended a three day pause in Russian strikes on Kyiv that coincided with the visits of US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow and Kyiv. The attacks killed at least two people and injured several others, according to Ukrainian officials.
The strikes triggered fires and explosions across several parts of Kyiv, damaging residential and non residential buildings, a school, a clinic and other facilities. Emergency teams were deployed to affected areas as residents were urged to remain in shelters during the attack.
Ukraine’s Air Force said it intercepted dozens of cruise missiles and more than 140 drones, as well as ballistic missiles. Despite the interceptions, authorities reported damage at numerous locations across the country.
Other areas of Ukraine were also targeted, including Odesa and Kharkiv, with strikes hitting civilian and infrastructure sites. The scale of the assault raised fresh concerns about Russia’s continued ability to carry out extensive aerial attacks despite renewed diplomatic efforts.
The attacks came shortly after Witkoff and Kushner concluded meetings in Kyiv with President Volodymyr Zelensky. The two American envoys had earlier met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow as part of the Trump administration’s latest attempt to break the deadlock in peace negotiations.
During their meetings, the US representatives expressed hope that Russia and Ukraine could return to a trilateral negotiating format involving Washington, Kyiv and Moscow. Kushner said the format could help put all sides directly at the table rather than relying on separate discussions.
The temporary suspension of strikes had raised cautious hopes in Kyiv that the diplomatic initiative could produce a wider reduction in hostilities. Putin had ordered the pause in attacks on Kyiv to coincide with the American envoys’ visit to the Ukrainian capital.
Those hopes were quickly tested when Russian forces resumed their attacks.
Ukrainian officials criticised Moscow for launching the barrage shortly after the departure of the American negotiators. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the timing demonstrated the need for stronger international pressure on Russia and additional air defence support for Ukraine.
Russia, however, maintained that its strikes were directed at military and logistical targets rather than being part of an attack on civilians.
The renewed attacks also highlight the major obstacles facing the latest American peace initiative. Although Russian officials have indicated that Moscow does not rule out restarting negotiations, fundamental disagreements remain over territory, security guarantees and the conditions for a lasting ceasefire.
Zelensky has said Ukraine remains ready to pursue diplomacy but has stressed that any settlement must provide lasting security and prevent Russia from launching another invasion in the future.
For now, the resumption of attacks suggests that diplomatic contacts have yet to translate into a meaningful reduction in fighting. Ukraine is also preparing for the possibility of another difficult winter, with its leaders seeking additional air defence systems and international assistance to protect energy infrastructure.
Trump’s mediation effort therefore faces a critical test as Washington attempts to persuade both sides to return to substantive negotiations while Russian strikes continue on Ukrainian cities.
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