Kyiv: As missile and drone attacks rain down on Ukraine's capital, hopes for meaningful dialogue between Kyiv and Moscow remain shrouded in uncertainty. Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed conditional willingness to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but only during what he calls the “final phase” of peace negotiations a phase that appears distant as violence escalates.
A wave of Russian strikes devastated Kyiv on Thursday, leaving at least 28 civilians dead and over 130 injured, while emergency teams continued to recover bodies from the rubble of shattered apartment complexes. The Ukrainian capital is once again gripped by fear, with residents caught off guard by the thunderous blasts.
“There was a whistling sound, then two massive blasts,” said Olena Lapyshnak, a survivor from one of the obliterated buildings. “Windows, doors everything was blown out. It felt like the world was ending.”
The Shahed drones and missiles used in the assault are part of an intensified Russian campaign across Ukrainian territory. Moscow insists the attacks are retaliatory measures against Ukrainian strikes, claiming to have hit a troop position in the Sumy region using an Iskander missile. Ukrainian officials confirmed damage to residential buildings in Konotop, Sumy, though no casualties were reported.
Meanwhile, the Sumy border zone remains a battleground, with Ukraine pushing to reclaim territory while heavy fighting continues.
Despite the bloodshed, the international community continues to advocate for peace negotiations, albeit with minimal signs of progress. President Putin reiterated his openness to direct talks with Zelenskyy but only when negotiations are nearing conclusion. He also downplayed concerns about NATO’s growing military readiness, saying Russia has secured its own defense posture.
At the same time, Western intelligence sources report that Russia is relying heavily on foreign military aid, including North Korean troops, a stream of arms and munitions from Pyongyang, Iranian drones and missiles, and suspected covert support from China. Thousands of North Korean soldiers have reportedly been deployed to defend the Kursk region, parts of which have come under Ukrainian counterattacks.
Some analysts warn that shifting power dynamics in the Middle East — particularly the possible collapse of Iran’s regime amid tensions with Israel could weaken Russia’s military posture. Iran’s logistical support has become crucial to sustaining Russia’s campaign in Ukraine, making regional instability a new variable in the conflict.
As the death toll mounts and urban centers like Kyiv reel from relentless bombardments, peace remains a distant hope. The road to negotiation, if it exists, is paved with uncertainty and blood.