At least two people have been killed and 34 others injured in Russian missile and drone attacks on Kyiv and the surrounding region, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, hours after US special envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg.
The attacks began overnight on October 22, with Russian ballistic missiles and cluster munitions striking transport and medical infrastructure in several waves, according to Ukrainian officials.
The Kyiv City Prosecutor’s Office initially reported one death and 24 injuries across five districts of the capital. Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said four children were among the injured, with one hospitalised. Zelensky later reported two deaths and 34 injuries, including five children, in Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast.
According to Ukraine’s Air Force, Russia launched a combined assault involving Iskander-M, S-400, Zircon and Onyx missiles, alongside 210 drones. Ukrainian air defences intercepted 181 drones, while strikes were recorded at 32 locations.
Presidential adviser Serhii “Flash” Beskrestnov said one Iskander missile carried a K5 cluster-munition warhead designed to spread explosive submunitions over a wide area.
Zelensky condemned the attacks, saying three waves of ballistic strikes had been launched against the capital since the previous evening.
The assault came just hours after Witkoff held talks with Putin in St Petersburg as part of renewed US-led efforts to end the war. During the meeting, Witkoff reportedly described Putin as a “humanitarian”, despite the Russian leader being wanted by the International Criminal Court over alleged war crimes in Ukraine.
The latest attacks have added to concerns over civilian safety as diplomatic efforts continue, with major disagreements still standing in the way of a ceasefire.
