Russian forces killed at least one person and wounded 15 others, hitting the strategic northeastern city of Kharkiv and the capital Kyiv, as multitrack diplomacy unfolded across several locations. The attacks targeted key cities while diplomatic efforts proceeded through various channels simultaneously.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko alerted residents that the capital was experiencing a “massive enemy attack,” directing people to seek shelter. The strikes targeted residential buildings, causing casualties and significant infrastructure damage. Heat and water services were disrupted in multiple districts.
The strategic northeastern city of Kharkiv faced particularly intense attacks, with Mayor Igor Terekhov confirming that Iranian-manufactured Shahed drones struck several residential complexes. The city’s strategic location near the Russian border has made it a persistent target. Damage to the northeastern city’s infrastructure continued to mount.
Despite attacks on strategic cities, multitrack diplomacy unfolded on several fronts. In Abu Dhabi, American, Russian, and Ukrainian representatives engaged in trilateral talks. Separately, President Zelensky met with President Trump, while President Putin held discussions with Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The UAE foreign ministry described the main talks as efforts “to promote dialogue and identify political solutions.”
Ukrainian President Zelensky announced that peace proposals were “nearly ready” as multitrack diplomacy continued. He proposed creating a free trade zone in eastern Ukraine under Kyiv’s control. The multiple diplomatic tracks represented comprehensive international engagement despite ongoing attacks.