Ukraine war live: Russia launches deadly drone attack on Kyiv ahead of ceasefire talks in Saudi Arabia

Deadly Drone Strike Hits Kyiv Ahead of Peace Discussions

Welcome to our live updates on the Ukraine conflict.

Ukrainian authorities reported that at least three individuals, including a young child of five years old, perished following a Russian drone assault on Kyiv overnight.

According to Kyiv city military administration, the attack resulted in these fatalities and left a minimum of 10 others wounded. The drone incursions ignited multiple blazes throughout the city.

Officials stated that drone fragments ignited two residential buildings in the Dnipro district. In a separate incident, a fire erupted on the uppermost levels of a nine-story building in the capital, resulting in the death of one woman.

Aftermath of the overnight drone attack on a nine-story residential building in Kyiv. Photograph: Sergey Dolzhenko/EPA

Tymur Tkachenko, chief of Kyiv city military administration, commented, “Today, the Russians are once more displaying their ‘desire for peace.’”

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“In actuality, terrorists are simply deploying lethal weaponry against residential structures.”

This assault precedes planned discussions for a ceasefire between US and Ukrainian representatives in Saudi Arabia later today. These talks are expected to be spearheaded by Andrew Peek from the national security council and Michael Anton of the state department.

Following the US officials’ meeting with Ukrainian counterparts this evening, a meeting with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia is scheduled for Monday, according to Reuters. Ukrainian representatives are anticipated to participate in the discussions involving both US and Russian delegations, but they will not be in the same room as the Russian officials.

During the talks, the Ukrainian delegation is expected to present a catalog of energy infrastructure sites that should be designated as off-limits for Russian military offensives.

The Kremlin has announced that Russian and US specialists will also deliberate on methods to guarantee maritime security in the Black Sea.

Russian president Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy have previously consented to a limited truce encompassing energy and civilian infrastructure. Nevertheless, both Moscow and Kyiv have traded accusations regarding breaches of this accord.

Additional Key Developments

Russian Forces Claim Capture of Eastern Settlement

Russian forces have taken control of Sribne, a small village situated in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, as reported by Interfax news agency on Sunday, citing the defence ministry.

Sribne’s location is southwest of Pokrovsk, an industrial hub. Should Russia seize Pokrovsk, it would severely impair the Ukrainian military’s logistical and supply capabilities.

Pokrovsk Shelling Leads to Civilian Deaths

According to the regional governor’s Telegram update this morning, Russian shelling resulted in the deaths of three individuals in Pokrovsk, eastern Ukraine, on Saturday.

Pokrovsk, a former mining city in the Donetsk region, has faced continuous attacks for months, owing to its strategic importance as a logistics center.

However, Ukrainian military sources indicate recent successes in repelling Russian advances in the area.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy met commanders of drone units near the strategic eastern city of Pokrovsk. Photograph: Presidential Press Service Handout Handout/EPA

Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Donetsk region on Saturday, engaging with drone unit commanders near Pokrovsk.

Zelenskyy stated on X, “I visited the command post of the Tactical Group Pokrovsk and met with commanders of the Drone Line, uniting the best unmanned systems units of Ukraine’s armed forces.”

He further added, “I received updates on Pokrovsk’s defense, the operational landscape, and mission progress. I recognized our soldiers with state honors.”

Updated at

Kyiv Drone Attack – Visual Overview

The following images depict the situation in Kyiv after the fatal Russian drone attacks from the previous night:

Ukrainian rescuers working at the site of an overnight drone attack in Kyiv. Photograph: State Emergency Service Handout Handout/EPA
The Russian attack struck multiple residential buildings in Kyiv. Photograph: Sergey Dolzhenko/EPA
Russian drones and debris from shot-down drones, which were flying at lower altitudes to evade air defenses, fell on residential buildings in Kyiv. Photograph: Sergey Dolzhenko/EPA

Broader Conflict Updates

Russia’s defense ministry reported earlier today the interception of 59 Ukrainian drones across several southern regions, including Crimea. Despite Russia’s 2014 annexation, Crimea remains internationally recognized as Ukrainian territory.

In a large-scale aerial engagement, Russian forces deployed 147 drones across Ukraine overnight. Ukrainian air defenses successfully neutralized 97 of these drones, according to the Ukrainian air force. Over the preceding days, air defense systems had reportedly downed 100 and 114 drones launched by Moscow, respectively.

Last week, the Kremlin announced an agreement to a partial ceasefire proposed by the US. Vladimir Putin purportedly consented to suspend strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure for a 30-day period following a lengthy phone conversation with US President Donald Trump.

Notwithstanding this declared agreement, intended to pave the way for a more comprehensive resolution, missile and drone attacks by Russia against Ukraine have persisted.

For detailed analysis on the ceasefire’s anticipated commencement and potential repercussions of violations, refer to the explainer by our colleague Pjotr Sauer.


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