Russian missile, drone, and shelling attacks in Ukraine resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals as U.S. and Ukrainian officials concluded the third day of diplomatic talks aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict. The attacks occurred overnight and into Sunday, highlighting the continued violence in the region.
In the Chernihiv region, a drone strike on Saturday night killed one man, according to local officials. Additionally, a coordinated missile and drone attack targeted infrastructure in Kremenchuk, a central city known for housing one of Ukraine’s largest oil refineries. This assault caused significant power and water outages, exacerbating the challenges faced by civilians. Ukrainian officials have accused Russia of attempting to “weaponize” the cold by crippling the power grid, leaving people without essential services for a fourth consecutive winter.
On Sunday, shelling by Russian troops in the Kharkiv region resulted in three fatalities and ten injuries, as reported by the regional prosecutor’s office. These attacks occurred while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of dialogue in a phone call with American officials involved in the negotiations in Florida. “Ukraine is determined to keep working in good faith with the American side to genuinely achieve peace,” Zelenskyy stated on social media.
During the Reagan National Defense Forum on Saturday, Keith Kellogg, the outgoing U.S. envoy to Ukraine, commented on the negotiations, suggesting that efforts to end the war are nearing completion. He identified two critical issues still requiring resolution: the situation in the Donbas region and the management of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. This facility, which has been under Russian control since the onset of the invasion, is currently not operational but requires a reliable power supply to ensure the safety of its shutdown reactors and spent fuel.
The Donbas region, comprising Donetsk and Luhansk, has been predominantly under Russian control since its illegal annexation three years ago. As the conflict continues, the humanitarian situation remains precarious, with civilians bearing the brunt of military actions.
Kellogg, who is set to leave his position in January, did not attend the talks in Florida. Meanwhile, it has been announced that leaders from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany will meet with Zelenskyy in London on Monday, further demonstrating the international focus on the situation in Ukraine.
In a separate development, Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, expressed support for the Trump administration’s new national security strategy. In remarks published by the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, he described the strategy as “encouraging,” citing its emphasis on dialogue and improved relations rather than confrontation.
The strategy, released by the White House on March 15, 2024, indicates a shift in U.S. policy aimed at enhancing relations with Russia, which has been marginalized on the global stage in recent years. The document underscores the importance of resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine as a fundamental U.S. interest to “reestablish strategic stability with Russia.”
As the situation unfolds, the humanitarian and geopolitical implications of the conflict continue to attract global attention. The international community remains engaged as the quest for a peaceful resolution persists. Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine.
