Before the talks commenced, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed journalists via audio messages shared in a WhatsApp group chat. He expressed Ukraine’s expectation for the West to provide security guarantees akin to those enjoyed by NATO members, following the United States and some European countries’ decision against Ukraine joining the alliance.
Russia and Ukraine exchange aerial attacks
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s air force reported a significant overnight assault by Russia, which included ballistic missiles and 138 attack drones. Of these, 110 were intercepted or destroyed, yet impacts were felt in six different locations.
On Sunday, Zelenskyy highlighted the ongoing struggle to restore essential services such as electricity, heat, and water in the southern, eastern, and northeastern regions. These areas remained severely affected after a major attack the night before, leaving hundreds of thousands of families without power.
Over the past week, Russia has launched an extensive barrage against Ukraine, including over 1,500 strike drones, nearly 900 guided aerial bombs, and 46 various missiles, according to the Ukrainian president.
“Ukraine seeks peace on terms that are fair, and we are committed to working diligently towards this goal. The coming days will be heavily focused on diplomatic efforts, and it is crucial that these efforts yield positive results,” Zelenskyy stated.
In a separate statement, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed that their air defenses successfully downed 235 Ukrainian drones late Saturday and into early Sunday.
In the Belgorod region, a drone injured a man and set his house ablaze in the village of Yasnye Zori, regional Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov said.
Ukrainian drones struck an oil depot in Uryupinsk in the Volgograd region, triggering a fire, according to regional Gov. Andrei Bocharov.
In the Krasnodar region, the Ukrainian drones attacked the town of Afipsky, where an oil refinery is located. Authorities said that explosions shattered windows in residential buildings, but didn’t report any damage to the refinery.
