At least one person died and 15 were injured as Russian forces put Ukraine’s capital under fire, occurring as settlement terms began taking shape in Abu Dhabi. The strikes on Kyiv and Kharkiv continued even as the contours of a potential peace agreement emerged.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko alerted Kyiv residents that the capital was under fire from a “massive enemy attack,” directing people to remain in protective shelters. The bombardment targeted residential buildings, causing casualties and widespread property damage. Heat and water infrastructure sustained significant damage, leaving thousands without essential utilities.
In Kharkiv, Iranian-made Shahed drones attacked several residential complexes, as confirmed by Mayor Igor Terekhov. The drone strikes caused extensive damage to civilian housing, continuing Russia’s pattern of targeting non-military areas. The northeastern city has endured persistent bombardment throughout the conflict.
In Abu Dhabi, settlement terms appeared to be taking shape as American, Russian, and Ukrainian representatives engaged in two-day talks. The UAE foreign ministry described the discussions as focused on “promoting dialogue and identifying political solutions to the crisis.” President Zelensky announced that peace proposals were “nearly ready,” indicating progress toward settlement terms.
Ukrainian President Zelensky proposed establishing a free trade zone in eastern Ukraine under Kyiv’s control, suggesting this could be part of settlement terms. He stated it would be “positive for our business.” President Putin met with Trump’s envoys, while all parties worked to finalize settlement terms despite ongoing violence and territorial disputes.