Heavy Rocket Attacks Strike Ukraine’s Capital Kyiv
In the early morning hours, Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, has been rocked by intense missile bombardments. The local military administration and emergency services have reported multiple fires across several city districts, including residential rooftops and an industrial area. It is unclear whether the strikes are direct rocket hits or damage from falling debris of intercepted projectiles.
According to Mayor Vitali Klitschko, one person has been killed in the Obolon district, and at least three others have been injured.
The Ukrainian air defense had previously issued warnings of ballistic missile attacks approaching from the northeast. Social media reports indicated loud explosions throughout Kyiv.
US Diplomat Secures Prisoner Release, Trump Sends Delegation to Ukraine
Just days before the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, former US President Donald Trump has dispatched high-ranking members of his administration to Russia and Ukraine.
US Special Envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, has successfully negotiated the release of American citizen Marc Fogel, who was imprisoned in Russia. Trump personally welcomed Fogel upon his arrival in Washington, DC, according to a White House video.
The teacher was apprehended at a Moscow airport in 2021 and subsequently sentenced for drug smuggling. Trump, Witkoff, and other advisors reportedly arranged an "exchange" with Moscow, which the White House characterized as a "sign of goodwill" from the Russians. The nature of the exchange remains undisclosed.
US Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Adam Boehler told CNN that another US citizen is expected to be released on Wednesday.
The White House statement declared Fogel’s release as "a sign that we are moving in the right direction to end the brutal and horrific war in Ukraine." No further details were provided. It is also unclear with whom Witkoff met during his time in Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, had previously denied Witkoff’s visit to the Kremlin, stating that they had no information on the US diplomat’s arrival and that "no contacts are planned."
According to The New York Times, Witkoff traveled to Moscow on a private jet. This would mark the first known visit by a senior US official to Moscow since November 2021, just months before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. At that time, then-CIA Director Bill Burns conducted talks in Russia.
Additionally, Trump has sent Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to Ukraine to discuss an end to the Russian aggression. Bessent will meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump announced on his social media platform Truth Social. Emphasizing the urgent need to end the war, Trump stated, "The war must stop and it will stop soon. There is too much death and destruction. When America leads, there is peace in the world."
Trump did not specify a timeframe for Bessent’s trip. The former US President has recently expressed particular interest in Ukraine’s rare minerals and has linked US aid to access to these resources. Zelenskyy has indicated Ukraine’s readiness to return western assistance by exploring opportunities for rare earth and other minerals. With Western support, Ukraine has been resisting Russian invasion for nearly three years.
On Friday, Trump hinted at a potential meeting with Zelenskyy in Washington this week but stressed that he would not be traveling to Ukraine himself.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is scheduled to attend a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Brussels today, where discussions will focus on continued aid for the country. Defense Ministers of NATO member countries will gather at the NATO headquarters to coordinate weapons supplies.
Reports suggest that Keith Kellogg, Trump’s appointed Ukraine negotiator, may travel to Ukraine next Thursday, but this information remains unconfirmed. However, Trump administration officials are expected to visit Ukraine ahead of the Munich Security Conference. US Vice President J.D. Vance is slated to attend the conference, which begins on Friday and concludes on Sunday.
Ukraine Looks to Expand Nuclear Power Amidst Energy Crisis
In his evening video address, Zelenskyy briefly acknowledged the ongoing negotiations with the US. He stated that Kyiv is prepared for discussions but emphasized that the constant Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure remained the primary focus.
To bolster energy resilience, Zelenskyy announced plans to expand nuclear power generation in Ukraine. "Ukraine will additionally build two power units at the Khmelnytsky Nuclear Power Plant, and this is more than two gigawatts of electricity for Ukraine," he declared. The Parliament in Kyiv has initiated the purchase of two Soviet-era nuclear reactors from Bulgaria.
According to Zelenskyy, expanding the Khmelnytsky NPP will ensure Ukraine’s ability to meet its electricity needs during the winter without relying on imports. He acknowledged resistance to the project, arguing that it is fueled by vested interests in maintaining more expensive energy sources.
Russia’s systematic targeting of energy facilities has led to the loss of more than half of Ukraine’s energy capacity. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest in Europe, has been occupied by Russian forces since the early days of the war and remains under their control.
