Kremlin sees no basis for peace after Russian strike kills 15 in Kyiv

On August 20, Russia's largest city, Kyiv, bore the brunt of a devastating missile and drone attack, resulting in 15 fatalities and over 30 injuries. The Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, stated that there are currently no conditions for a peaceful resolution to Russia's ongoing war with Ukraine, blaming Kyiv for the lack of "grounds for optimism." Peskov reiterated Russia's commitment to the conflict, emphasizing that the so-called "special military operation" is ongoing.

The attack primarily targeted Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast, with one person killed and seven injured in the Brovary district of Kyiv Oblast. Food warehouses and Red Cross facilities in Boryspil were among the many structures struck, leading to large fires. Russian drones also targeted a checkpoint on the Moldovan border in Odesa Oblast, while gas infrastructure was hit in Chernihiv Oblast.

Ukrainian Air Force data revealed that 39 out of 44 cruise missiles launched by Russia were shot down by Ukrainian air defenses overnight on August 20. Major General Vadym Skibitskyi, deputy chief of Ukraine's military intelligence agency HUR, maintained that there were no indications that Moscow was willing to cease fighting and engage in constructive negotiations. He stated that Moscow's plans include no agreements or peace deals being signed by the end of the year.

Trilateral talks involving Ukraine, the United States, and Russia had been stalled since February 2026, following the start of the Iran war. The Kremlin had previously deemed this negotiating format inappropriate until Ukraine withdrew its troops from Ukrainian-controlled areas in Donbas.