Russia launched deadly strikes across ten Ukrainian regions overnight, hitting five major energy substations just hours before US-led trilateral talks involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States began in Abu Dhabi. The attacks came as negotiators prepared for what are described as the first substantive negotiations in months aimed at ending a war that is now more than four years old.
The substations targeted are key nodes in Ukraine's electricity network, transmitting power between regions. Reporting indicates the strikes were deadly, although the full extent of casualties is not stated in the material available. The timing of the attacks, coming on the eve of the talks, has drawn attention to the gap between diplomatic activity and the fighting on the ground.
The Abu Dhabi meeting marks a rare moment of direct engagement among the three parties. US officials have said they are seeking a «final end» to the conflict, a goal that has eluded earlier efforts. The outcome of the talks is not yet known, and it remains unclear whether the overnight strikes will affect the discussions or the positions the delegations bring to the table.
Ukraine's prime minister has been named as Sergii Koretskyi, a detail that underlines the Ukrainian government's role in the negotiations. Officials on all sides have not yet released detailed statements on the outcome of the first sessions, and further information is expected as the talks continue.
For ordinary Ukrainians, attacks on electricity infrastructure carry immediate consequences, as damage to substations can disrupt power supplies across wide areas and complicate repairs during colder months. The strikes across ten regions also show how far the conflict has spread beyond the front lines.
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