Zelenskyy: Russia Intensifies Attacks Ahead of Trilateral Talks in Abu Dhabi
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia is stepping up strikes to pressure Kyiv before US-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi. An overnight attack on energy facilities left five Ukrainian regions without power.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of escalating strikes across Ukraine to put pressure on Kyiv ahead of trilateral talks planned for next week in the United Arab Emirates. An overnight attack on energy facilities caused power cuts as temperatures fall.
Impact of the attack
Ukraine's energy ministry said a massive attack on several energy facilities on Saturday left five regions without electricity and significantly hampered power transmission in Kyiv and surrounding regions. According to Zelenskyy, Russia launched 172 drones and 36 ballistic missiles overnight, including KN-23 missiles made and supplied by North Korea.
“Russia perceives diplomacy in its own peculiar way – as a form of aggression,” Zelenskyy said.
Talks and support
The US-brokered trilateral meeting in Abu Dhabi is intended to revive stalled peace efforts. Ukrainian officials are expected to meet Russian negotiators and US envoys on Tuesday and Wednesday, the first such talks in months. The diplomatic track has been stalled since February, when Washington turned its attention to its war with Iran.
Zelenskyy also urged the United States to increase its flagging aid to Ukraine, pointing to a significant shortage of interceptors for Patriot air defence systems.
Other developments
Italy's foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, said he had been targeted by pro-Russian hackers over his support for Ukraine. His personal data was published on the dark web, and the hackers were seeking further information about him and his family. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni backed Tajani. Moscow has not commented.
France's far-left presidential contender Jean-Luc Mélenchon said the Ukraine conflict cannot be settled through territorial concessions without consulting the people concerned.
In Russia's Belgorod region, a Ukrainian drone hit a private home in the town of Grayvoron, killing one person. Russia's defence ministry said it shot down 411 Ukrainian drones overnight. Russian media later reported that the Saratov Oil Refinery had been hit.
