At least 10 people have been killed in recent strikes attributed to both Russian and Ukrainian forces, officials and local authorities said, in violence that came as the United States proposed convening a fresh round of ceasefire talks in the United Arab Emirates.
The casualties were reported from separate incidents described by local officials as strikes and counterstrikes. Authorities cautioned that the toll could change as rescue teams continue to search affected areas and verify the full extent of damage and injuries.
Violence continues despite diplomatic overture
The fatal attacks followed a U.S. initiative to host new talks in the UAE aimed at negotiating a halt to fighting. Diplomatic efforts to secure ceasefires and address humanitarian concerns have been intermittent since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and officials said the proposed discussions were intended to build on previous mediation efforts.
The incidents underscore the challenges facing negotiators: while talks are being proposed abroad, fighting on the ground has continued to produce civilian casualties and destroy infrastructure. Details about the locations of the strikes, the identities of those killed and injured, and responses from Moscow and Kyiv were limited at the time of reporting, and officials said further updates were expected as investigations proceed.
International actors have repeatedly urged both sides to spare civilians and allow humanitarian access. As the situation develops, governments and aid organisations are monitoring the impact of the latest strikes and the prospects for any renewed diplomatic engagement stemming from the U.S. proposal in the UAE.