Russia and Ukraine exchanged attacks on their respective capitals early Thursday as American envoys arrived in Moscow for talks with President Vladimir Putin, raising renewed attention to diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the nearly five-year war.
Explosions were heard in Kyiv during the early hours of Thursday, while Russian authorities said air defence systems intercepted Ukrainian drones approaching Moscow.
The developments came shortly after two days of US-mediated peace talks in Abu Dhabi ended with an agreement in principle on a prisoner exchange but no major breakthrough on resolving the conflict.
Russia’s Defence Ministry said its forces had struck Ukrainian military and energy facilities, alongside a munitions warehouse in Kyiv.
A local official also reported damage to energy and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine’s Rivne region following the attacks.
In Moscow, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said Russian forces had destroyed five drones heading towards the capital. Other drones were reportedly intercepted in regions including Rostov and Tula.
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US ENVOYS ARRIVE IN MOSCOW
US President Donald Trump’s representatives, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, arrived in Moscow on Thursday for discussions with President Vladimir Putin as Washington seeks to revive negotiations between the two countries.
“Welcoming Steve and Jared to Moscow,” Dmitriev said on X, posting a picture of himself shaking hands with Witkoff near a plane on a grey, wintry morning, with Kushner standing alongside.
The American delegation is expected to discuss the possibility of involving European countries in future peace negotiations, an issue that has remained contentious between Moscow and Western governments.
Kushner has argued that European partners must participate in discussions concerning Ukraine’s future security arrangements.
Following their Moscow meeting, the US envoys are expected to travel to Ireland to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is scheduled to attend a gathering of European leaders.
PRISONER EXCHANGE OFFERS LIMITED PROGRESS
The Abu Dhabi negotiations, which marked the first direct discussions between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in nine months, produced an agreement in principle for a substantial exchange of prisoners of war.
However, mediators acknowledged that significant disagreements remained, particularly concerning territorial control and security guarantees.
Zelenskyy has repeatedly rejected proposals requiring Ukraine to surrender occupied territories, while Moscow continues to oppose European participation in direct negotiations.
The latest diplomatic initiative comes as both countries continue to exchange long-range missile and drone attacks, with Ukraine’s energy infrastructure facing renewed pressure ahead of winter.
Although the prisoner exchange represents a limited humanitarian breakthrough, the latest developments suggest that reaching a comprehensive agreement to end the war remains difficult.
