Russian forces launched fresh attacks across Ukraine overnight into Saturday, killing at least one person and injuring dozens, as diplomats from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States prepared for a second day of peace talks in Abu Dhabi aimed at ending Moscow’s nearly four-year full-scale invasion. The timing of the strikes cast a shadow over the negotiations and raised renewed concerns about Russia’s commitment to de-escalation.

In the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, Russian drone attacks killed one civilian and wounded four others, according to Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration. Emergency services responded to damaged residential areas as air defenses worked through the night to repel the assault.

In Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, drone strikes wounded 19 people, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said. The attacks struck densely populated areas, adding to the toll on a city that has endured repeated bombardment since the early months of the war. Local officials reported damage to civilian infrastructure and ongoing assessments of the impact.

The overnight violence unfolded as negotiators gathered abroad to discuss potential pathways toward ending the conflict, now approaching its fourth year. The continued targeting of Ukrainian cities during active diplomatic talks underscores the fragile state of the negotiations and highlights the stark contrast between diplomatic efforts and realities on the ground.

Ukrainian officials reiterated calls for sustained international pressure on Moscow, emphasizing that meaningful peace cannot be achieved while attacks on civilians continue. The latest strikes serve as a grim reminder that despite ongoing talks, the war remains active and deadly for those living under constant threat.