Russia Hits Kyiv With Missiles After Peace Talks

Residential neighborhoods and critical infrastructure in Kyiv came under a large-scale Russian missile and drone assault overnight into Thursday, October 22, killing at least two people and injuring dozens, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The bombardment followed diplomatic meetings involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States, intensifying concerns over Moscow's willingness to pursue peace negotiations.

Ukrainian officials reported damage to apartment buildings, energy facilities, railway infrastructure, shopping centers, businesses, a monastery and the metro network. Kyiv's South Bridge, which carries road traffic and part of the city's green metro line across the Dnipro River, sustained damage that prompted traffic restrictions.

Casualty figures varied among Ukrainian reports as emergency operations continued. Kyiv authorities reported 24 injured people, including four children, while Zelenskyy said two people had been killed and 34 injured in Kyiv and surrounding areas. Six emergency medical vehicles and an ambulance station were damaged in the capital, although Mayor Vitali Klitschko said no medical personnel were injured.

According to Ukraine's Air Force, Russia launched 21 ballistic missiles toward Kyiv in three waves and deployed 210 attack drones during the broader assault, which began at 6 p.m. on October 21. Ukrainian forces intercepted or suppressed 181 drones, but the Air Force said none of the ballistic missiles targeting Kyiv had been intercepted. Authorities reported impacts at 32 locations.

Zelenskyy described the attack as evidence that Moscow's position had not changed despite renewed diplomatic contacts.

"Three waves of ballistic missiles have been launched at Kyiv by Russian 'humanitarians' since yesterday evening. They used 21 missiles," Zelenskyy wrote in a social media post.

The Ukrainian president called for stronger air defenses, rapid deliveries of interceptor missiles, measures to destroy Russian ballistic missile launch systems and additional sanctions. He also said the strikes demonstrated that negotiations had not produced a meaningful change in Russia's conduct.

"When Russian ballistic missiles are the response to negotiations, real pressure must be applied to Russia to encourage different actions," Zelenskyy wrote.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also criticized conciliatory diplomatic language toward Moscow, saying that "appeasement, servility and flattery" would not stop Russian aggression.

The attack followed a meeting in St. Petersburg between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US special envoy Steve Witkoff. Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov said Putin had agreed in principle to resume trilateral negotiations involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States after November 10, with Abu Dhabi mentioned as a possible venue.

During the meeting, Witkoff praised Putin's conduct after the release of detained American citizen Stephen Hubbard, 74. "You talk so much about my president, President Trump, being a humanitarian. You are a humanitarian also, sir, and I salute that," Witkoff said.

Witkoff later described the discussions as constructive and said negotiations would continue at the technical level. However, Kyiv remained skeptical, citing Russia's continued military attacks and demands concerning Ukrainian territory, military strength and NATO membership.

The bombardment extended beyond the capital. Ukrainian officials reported additional Russian attacks in 12 regions, including a strike on a market in the northeastern Kharkiv region that killed at least two people and injured 17, according to local authorities. Odesa also sustained damage to its port.

Meanwhile, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin reported that at least 630 Ukrainian drones had approached the Russian capital overnight. Several buildings were damaged, and people were injured in Moscow and nearby areas, while Russia's Defense Ministry said its forces had intercepted at least 808 Ukrainian drones across 17 Russian regions, occupied Crimea and the Black Sea.