Ukraine: Russia hits Kyiv with airstrikes ahead of trilateral talks

Russia launched strikes on Kyiv and surrounding areas overnight, targeting the Northern Bridge, Meridian Plant, and several energy and industrial facilities in the Kyiv region. The bridge, which is used by the Ukrainian military to transport weapons and military equipment, and the Meridian Plant, which produces Flamingo cruise missiles, were damaged in the attacks.

Russian authorities claimed the strikes were aimed at pushing Kyiv and the entire country into a blackout. Ukrainian officials reported one death and eight injuries, while Mayor Vitali Klitschko warned of an "extremely difficult" situation regarding power, heating, and water supplies. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that the bridges and plant were being used by the Ukrainian military for these purposes, while the plant is used to produce Flamingo cruise missiles.

Meanwhile, Ukraine prepares for a four-way trilateral talks between Kyiv, Moscow, and Washington in Abu Dhabi. Previous rounds of US-brokered talks have failed to achieve significant progress, with key territorial and security issues remaining unresolved. On Friday, US President Donald Trump expressed optimism about the possibility of a "big, beautiful agreement" with Moscow, involving all of Europe.

A brief ceasefire in the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky enabled the evacuation of around 800 residents, brokered by US First Lady Melania Trump.