Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a temporary three-day suspension of strikes on Kyiv, as reported by the Kremlin on Saturday. This decision aligns with the arrival of US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow. It is aimed at rekindling negotiations to conclude Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed the pause would commence at midnight. According to him, it is intended to facilitate Witkoff and Kushner’s planned visit to Kyiv set for Sunday. The announcement comes amidst an escalation in aerial assaults from both sides, over four years after the conflict erupted.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Friday that Ukraine would also suspend its airstrikes during the duration of the US envoys’ visit and requested similar restraint from Moscow. Diplomatic efforts from Washington to expedite a resolution have reportedly diminished in recent months as attention has shifted towards the situation with Iran.

Details of the Envoys’ Visit

The US diplomats last visited Moscow in January, where they met with President Putin at the Kremlin. Notably, this marks their first trip to Kyiv. Upon their arrival, the envoys were greeted at the airport by Russian representative Kirill Dmitriev, who welcomed them as “Peacemakers” on social media.

While peace talks have struggled to advance, Russia has been intensifying its military operations against Kyiv and other cities. It resulted in increased daytime bombardments. Ukraine is reportedly facing challenges regarding its air defence capabilities, further complicating the situation.

On the previous day, a Russian drone targeted the headquarters of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) in Kyiv. The SBU is engaged in critical operations related to the conflict, while Ukrainian forces have hit Russian military installations and key infrastructure, as part of efforts to weaken Russia’s military capacity.

Recent Developments in the Conflict

Amid these tensions, President Zelenskyy noted that recent strikes aimed at Kyiv and Boryspil airports were likely a response to the upcoming US visit. He indicated that planned operations in reaction to the situation would be adapted appropriately, particularly concerning engagements in Russian airspace, which has seen increased Ukrainian drone activity.

Casualties from recent Russian assaults included five individuals killed and another five injured at an industrial site in Ukraine’s southern Dnipropetrovsk region, according to local administration chief Oleksandr Hanzha. Those deceased were identified as workers performing their day-to-day duties at the facility.

In a further incident in the Nikopol district of Dnipropetrovsk, a 62-year-old man sustained injuries due to an attack. It also resulted in damage to multiple residential buildings. The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed targets included metallurgical plants, which they described as major contributors to Ukraine’s military output.

Reports indicate that two further individuals were injured during a nocturnal Russian assault in the Kyiv region. A residential building in Boryspil district partially collapsed due to the explosions. Meanwhile, a shopping centre in southern Mykolaiv was also struck, causing extensive damage and injuring a 72-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl.

Ukraine’s air force reported that overnight, Russia launched ballistic missiles from its Rostov and Voronezh regions, deploying numerous attack drones. Countermeasures managed to intercept or suppress a significant number of incoming drones, highlighting the ongoing complexity of combat operations. Ukrainian attacks have also reportedly affected civilians in Russia’s Belgorod border region.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share