Russia resumed its airstrikes on Kyiv late Monday into Tuesday, leading to at least two deaths and seven injuries. These strikes on the Ukrainian capital began again after a three-day pause coinciding with the unprecedented visit of U.S. envoys, according to reports from AFP and Reuters.
Witnesses reported hearing loud explosions throughout Kyiv, with columns of smoke rising and a significant fire breaking out in the city. An air raid alert was issued during the night, prompting authorities to advise residents to seek shelter, but was lifted by dawn.
According to preliminary reports from local military officials, buildings in various neighborhoods and suburbs of Kyiv were hit. Additionally, several individuals were trapped in a residential building, with multiple fires erupting across the city, as stated by Mayor Vitali Klitschko via Telegram. He emphasized that the attacks involved Russian ballistic missiles.
Simultaneously, Poland initiated military air operations to safeguard its airspace amid the escalating situation, as announced by the country’s armed forces on X. This Russian assault marks the first against Kyiv following a three-night hiatus after a mutual ceasefire declared by Moscow and Kyiv during the visit of American envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
During Witkoff and Kushner’s visit, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a halt to attacks on Kyiv from Saturday through Monday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also declared a cessation of assaults on Moscow during this same period.
Potential for De-escalation This Winter?
Witkoff remarked that his tour facilitated “substantial progress” toward organizing tripartite negotiations aimed at ending the conflict triggered by Russia’s invasion in February 2022. He noted that “President Trump is making sustained efforts to stop the massacre and contribute to lasting peace,” as shared on X.
According to Ukrainian President Zelensky, Putin indicated to the envoys that he is open to initiating negotiations for “de-escalation” this winter. This could lead to a mutual suspension of attacks on strategic areas. Zelensky mentioned proposals involving energy, grain, electricity, as well as oil and gas.
“Putin needs Trump and does not want to upset him, especially before the U.S. midterm elections in early November,” the Ukrainian president stated in an interview with Axios.
Kremlin Open to Tripartite Negotiations
Witkoff and Kushner met with the Russian leader in Moscow on Saturday before visiting Kyiv for talks with Zelensky on Sunday. The discussions included European representatives from France, Britain, and Germany.
A senior official from the Ukrainian presidency told AFP that Trump’s envoys presented new “more effective” proposals to end the war, though no further details were disclosed at this time. The Kremlin indicated on Monday that it does “not rule out” the resumption of tripartite negotiations. However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that it is “still too early to discuss specific locations and dates.”
In previous negotiations, Moscow and Kyiv largely maintained their positions, with discussions stalling particularly over territorial claims in eastern Ukraine, which Russia seeks to annex.
