Russia 'deliberately' targeted Kyiv, Boryspil airports ahead of US envoys' visit, Zelensky says

President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed on September 5 that Russian forces deliberately targeted Kyiv and Boryspil airports in advance of a scheduled U.S. delegation visit aimed at advancing peace negotiations. Zelensky described the strikes as unprecedented, stating they were in retaliation for discussions surrounding potential U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arriving via airplane.

The Ukrainian president noted that both Kyiv International Airport and Boryspil International Airport were considered as possible arrival points for the delegation. Witkoff and Kushner are set to arrive in Kyiv on September 6, following a stop in Moscow as part of Washington's latest diplomatic efforts to end Russia's war against Ukraine.

Zelensky attributed the strikes to Russian-Iranian Shahed drones, emphasizing that Ukraine would modify its operations concerning Russian airspace in response. Ukraine expressed no threat to the U.S. delegation and remained committed to advancing peace efforts. The strikes occurred as Ukraine proposed a temporary ceasefire to Russia ahead of the diplomatic visit.

Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, confirmed the proposal was directly conveyed to Russian President Vladimir Putin, but Moscow had not responded. The airport strikes were part of a larger Russian overnight assault, which included the launch of ballistic missiles and 167 drones against Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of at least seven people and injuries to at least 51 others.