Russian President Vladimir Putin orders a 72-hour pause in strikes on Kyiv

Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued an order for a 72-hour ceasefire on strikes targeting Kyiv, as announced by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. The decision comes ahead of U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner's arrival in Kyiv for peace talks, aiming to revive stalled negotiations. The visit follows escalated aerial attacks on both sides.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that Ukraine would suspend airstrikes during the delegation's time in the city, urging Moscow to reciprocate. However, Moscow has not officially responded to this proposal. The U.S. push for peace has waned due to its ongoing war with Iran, with envoys previously meeting Putin in January.

Recent intensified attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities have targeted critical infrastructure, including the Security Service headquarters, oil refineries, and e-commerce hubs, in an effort to weaken Russia's war effort. Zelenskyy attributes these strikes to the upcoming U.S. visit, warning of potential adjustments to operations in response to Russian aerial threats.

The conflict has claimed five lives and injured five more in an industrial facility in southern Ukraine, while a separate attack in the region's Nikopol district damaged homes and an apartment building. Russia has also targeted civilian infrastructure, including a residential building in Kyiv's Boryspil district. Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory have wounded three individuals, including a 14-year-old girl, near the Belgorod border region, with Russia claiming to have downed 53 Ukrainian drones overnight.