Russia and Ukraine traded attacks overnight, killing seven people in Ukraine despite renewed diplomatic efforts involving the United States, authorities said on Thursday.
The attacks came shortly after US envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg for talks on ending the war.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on social media that the strikes had injured 15 people in the capital, eight of whom were hospitalized.
In a separate post, Klitschko said strikes had damaged infrastructure at the Pivdenny Bridge, restricting traffic between parts of the city.
Ukraine’s Air Force issued warnings on Telegram throughout the early hours of “ballistic missiles towards Kyiv” and reports of fighter jets, instructing residents to remain in shelters.
On Thursday morning, the Air Force said it had shot down 181 Russian drones overnight, adding that additional strike drones remained airborne.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said two people were wounded during a largely intercepted barrage of 630 drones targeting the region, including 163 approaching the capital.
US talks with Russia
President Donald Trump said the meeting with Putin and Witkoff had brought the parties “the closest we’ve been” to ending the conflict, although no breakthrough was announced.
The Kremlin said it was “in principle” willing to resume trilateral talks involving Russia, Ukraine and the US, potentially in mid-November after the US midterm elections.
Ukraine has also supported renewed negotiations. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv wanted a meeting to take place as soon as possible.
Witkoff described his talks with Putin as “constructive” while acknowledging that “important work” remained.
Russia subsequently agreed to release US citizen Stephen Hubbard, a retired teacher convicted of fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine. Hubbard has denied the allegations.
Trump delayed further sanctions on Russia, saying the move had helped secure Hubbard’s release.
Trump also reached a new agreement with Russia to sell diesel in an effort to reduce fuel prices that have risen during the broader conflict in the Middle East. The deal has drawn criticism from Kyiv and several European governments.
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