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Ukrainian officials say three people, including a four-year-old boy, were killed in a massive Russian drone strike Country Just two days before Christmas.
The latest barrage, involving more than 650 drones and three dozen missileHopes of achieving a US-mediated ceasefire before December 25 have been dashed.
Russian attack Homes and power grid were affected In 13 regions of Ukraine, the freezing temperatures below zero caused massive power outages.
Initial reports from Ukrainian emergency services said the child died in Ukraine’s northwestern Zhytomyr region, while a drone killed a woman in the Kiev region, and another civilian was reportedly killed in the western Khmelnytskyi region.
Russia launched 635 drones and 38 missiles of various types, Ukraine’s air force said air defense intercepted 587 drones and 34 missiles.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a post that the bombing reflected Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ongoing intention to invade Ukraine. Telegram Messaging app.
It comes as Ukrainian and European officials continue to express concern that Putin is not sincerely engaging with US-led peace efforts, as the war is set to enter its fifth year in February.
Zelensky said on Tuesday that a number of draft documents, including security guarantees, had been prepared by Ukrainian officials following talks in Miami with US counterparts on Russia ending the war.
“He worked productively with President Trump’s envoys and now a number of draft documents have been prepared,” the Ukrainian president wrote on Twitter. “In particular, these include documents on security guarantees for Ukraine, recovery and infrastructure to end this war.”
However, Russia once again poured cold water on suggestions that progress was being made.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the latest talks between Russians and US officials in Miami should not be seen as a breakthrough.
Describing it as a “working process”, Putin’s close aide said discussions were expected to continue and that Russia’s priority was to receive details of Washington’s work with the Europeans and Ukrainians on a possible agreement from the United States.
He said Moscow would then decide to what extent those views match what he called “the spirit of Anchorage.”
US President Donald Trump was reportedly hoping to secure a deal before Christmas Day, he had earlier announced proposal to end the war will force Kyiv give up land in compensation United States of America To maintain peace.
While US envoy Steve Witkoff said on Sunday he had “meaningful and constructive” talks with Ukrainian and European representatives in Florida, Trump sounded less effusive the next day, saying: “Negotiations are moving forward.”
Asked whether he planned to talk to Zelensky or Putin, Trump said only that he would like to see the fighting stopped.
Meanwhile, there have been media reports of a dispute between Witkoff and another senior Trump cabinet official.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has become frustrated with Witkoff, Trump’s designated peace envoy, in what Rubio’s allies see as an attempt to sideline the State Department from negotiations. nbc newinformed of.
In November, Witkoff traveled to Geneva ahead of schedule to begin talks with Ukrainian officials. nbc Said quoting officials.
Sources said Witkoff did not inform Rubio or senior State Department officials about the trip, raising concerns that he was seeking to negotiate independently.
“It’s like they’re singing on a different sheet of music,” said Alexander Vershbow, a former NATO ambassador. “And if you don’t have a general understanding of the problems and your opponent in the conversation, it can’t be good.”
However, Rubio later dismissed the report, describing Witkoff as “a phenomenal person, very smart, very talented.”
“There’s no one out there taking independent action,” Rubio told reporters. “It’s all tightly coordinated.”