Russia has carried out a large-scale aerial assault on key Ukrainian infrastructure while peace-related discussions between the United States and Ukraine continue in Florida for a third day.
Overnight, Russia fired 653 drones and 51 missiles, most of which were intercepted, according to Ukrainian officials. One strike hit a major railway hub in Fastiv near Kyiv, destroying the main station and damaging several trains.
President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, saying it had “no military value” and that Russia was aware of this.
Before the strikes, US and Ukrainian negotiators had urged Moscow to show a “serious commitment to long-term peace” after talks in Moscow failed to produce progress.
Russia Intensifies Attacks on Infrastructure
Russian forces have increased strikes on Ukraine’s energy grid and key facilities in recent weeks.
Ukraine’s energy ministry reported that strikes affected eight regions, causing widespread power outages.
Meanwhile, the UN nuclear watchdog confirmed that the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant briefly lost all external power — the 11th time since Russia’s invasion began.
Russia’s defence ministry described the barrage as a “massive strike” in response to what it called Ukrainian attacks on civilians.
Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said Russia was ignoring “every peace effort” and targeting critical infrastructure to pressure Ukraine and its allies.
US–Ukraine Talks in Florida Show “Constructive” Progress
In Florida, US envoy Steve Witkoff said two days of talks with Ukraine’s national security chief Rustem Umerov were “constructive.”
Both sides agreed on a preliminary framework for future security arrangements, although no details were made public.
The talks also focused on deterrence measures needed to support a lasting peace. The US noted that any end to the war depends on Russia being willing to take steps toward de-escalation.
Negotiations are being attended by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of President Donald Trump.
Ukraine’s team was also briefed on Witkoff’s nearly five-hour meeting with Vladimir Putin in Moscow earlier this week. The Kremlin stated afterward that “no compromise” had been reached on the US peace proposal but said Putin was open to more meetings.
President Zelensky said he wants full transparency about what was discussed in Moscow and what “new excuses Putin has invented to prolong the war.”
Key Issues Remain Unresolved
Major disagreements continue between the parties, including:
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Security guarantees for Ukraine after the war
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Territorial concessions
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NATO membership prospects
Russia currently controls about 20% of Ukraine, including large parts of Donetsk and Luhansk.
In a recent interview, Putin warned Ukrainian forces to withdraw from the Donbas or Russia would “liberate the territories by force.”
Ukraine and European allies insist that the best long-term protection from Russian aggression is NATO membership or robust security guarantees, but Russia strongly opposes this — and Trump has repeatedly stated he would not support Ukraine joining NATO.
The Kremlin confirmed NATO membership was a “key topic” in the recent Moscow discussions.
Trump said the talks were “reasonably good,” but emphasized that reaching an agreement requires cooperation from both sides: “It takes two to tango.”