War in Ukraine: Kyiv Condemns New Russian Strikes Ahead of Peace Talks

Ukraine has condemned a new wave of Russian strikes carried out overnight, resulting in one death and 23 injuries, just before the resumption of talks with the United States aimed at ending the conflict. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described these attacks as "brutal," asserting that they target not only the civilian population but also the ongoing negotiation process.

Russian, Ukrainian, and American delegations are meeting in Abu Dhabi for trilateral talks, the first of their kind since Russia launched its large-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. According to a source cited by the BBC, some progress has been made, but the crucial issue of territory remains unresolved.

In Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that one person had died and four others were injured, three of whom were hospitalized. Essential infrastructure was affected, leaving approximately 6,000 buildings without heating as temperatures remain below freezing. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that energy facilities were the primary target of the Russian strikes.

In Kharkiv, 19 people were injured during intense attacks that occurred early Saturday morning. A maternity hospital and a shelter for displaced persons were damaged, according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov.

Diplomatically, Andrii Sybiha stated that these bombings demonstrate that Russian President Vladimir Putin does not "belong at the peace table." Russia currently occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory and is demanding territorial concessions that Kyiv categorically rejects.

Source: BBC