Russian missile attacks across Ukraine killed at least two people and wounded dozens shortly after U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff met with President Vladimir Putin, raising renewed doubts about Moscow’s willingness to compromise in negotiations to end the war.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of demonstrating its unwillingness to change course Thursday, Oct. 22, after Moscow launched waves of ballistic missiles at Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions within hours of President Donald Trump’s envoy holding peace discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The overnight attacks struck approximately a dozen Ukrainian regions, killing at least two people and wounding 34, including children, according to Zelenskyy. Residential buildings, energy facilities, transportation infrastructure, a shopping center and a monastery were among the damaged locations.
The strikes followed Wednesday’s meeting between U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Putin in St. Petersburg, where the Kremlin expressed conditional willingness to resume negotiations involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States next month.
Despite that diplomatic opening, Zelenskyy said Russia’s actions showed little indication that Moscow was prepared to make meaningful concessions.
“Three waves of ballistic missiles have been launched at Kyiv by Russian ‘humanitarians’ since yesterday evening,” Zelenskyy said, referring to Witkoff’s recent description of Putin as a humanitarian following the release of an imprisoned American citizen.
“Almost immediately after another round of talks, Russia launched a pointed attack. This means there has been no real change in its attitude towards everything that is happening.”
According to Reuters reporting on Thursday’s attacks, Russia launched 21 ballistic missiles toward Kyiv, including three carrying cluster munitions. Ukrainian officials reported widespread damage to residential neighborhoods and civilian infrastructure.
Zelenskyy urged Western allies to maintain “real pressure” on Moscow through sanctions and additional military assistance, particularly air defense systems capable of intercepting ballistic missiles.
Russia also reported extensive Ukrainian drone attacks overnight, claiming its air defenses intercepted 808 drones. Moscow said two people were wounded near the Russian capital, although the reported interception total could not be independently verified.
The exchanges came as Washington renewed efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Witkoff met Zelenskyy and European officials in Oslo on Tuesday before traveling to Russia. Those discussions produced revised proposals addressing a possible ceasefire, territorial disputes and postwar security arrangements.
During Wednesday’s meeting in St. Petersburg, Witkoff presented the proposals to Putin, but Russian officials dismissed significant portions of the plan.
According to the Kremlin’s account of the negotiations, presidential foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said the proposals contained little substantive progress toward resolving Moscow’s demands.
Nevertheless, Putin indicated that Russia was prepared to restart trilateral negotiations in November, potentially focusing on future security arrangements for Russia and Ukraine.
Zelenskyy has expressed support for renewed talks, although previous rounds have failed to produce an agreement.
The central disagreements remain unresolved. Moscow demands that Ukraine withdraw from the remaining territory it controls in the eastern Donetsk region and accept restrictions on its military capabilities and Western security relationships.
Kyiv rejects those conditions, arguing that territorial concessions and limits on its defenses would leave the country vulnerable to another Russian attack.
Trump expressed optimism Wednesday as Witkoff returned from Russia, telling reporters that negotiators were “maybe now the closest we’ve been” to reaching a settlement.
Witkoff described his meeting with Putin as “constructive” but acknowledged that “there is still important work left to do.”
The U.S. envoy said technical discussions would continue among American, Ukrainian and Russian representatives as negotiators attempted to narrow their differences.
The diplomatic effort has been complicated by growing tensions between Washington and Kyiv.
In recent days, Trump declined to impose additional sanctions on Russia, approved an agreement involving Russian diesel purchases and publicly questioned Zelenskyy’s leadership.
Those developments have fueled concern among Ukrainian and European officials that Washington could accept an agreement requiring significant Ukrainian concessions.
The Kremlin has also discussed a possible summit involving Trump, Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping in China next month. Ukrainian and European officials have expressed concern about major decisions being negotiated without their participation.
Shortly after meeting Witkoff, Putin held separate discussions with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who was visiting St. Petersburg.
Meanwhile, Moscow continues intensified strikes against Ukrainian energy infrastructure ahead of winter, increasing pressure on the country’s electricity and heating systems.
The latest attacks underscore the gap between diplomatic discussions and military operations as both sides attempt to strengthen their negotiating positions.
Although Russia has signaled willingness to resume talks, Putin has maintained his territorial demands and repeatedly rejected direct negotiations with Zelenskyy.
Ukraine continues insisting that any agreement must include enforceable security guarantees and protection against renewed Russian aggression.
With negotiations tentatively expected to resume next month, Thursday’s missile strikes reinforced Kyiv’s argument that diplomatic engagement alone has not changed Moscow’s military strategy.
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