When Ukrainian corporal Vadym Lietunov ran from the wreckage of his frontline position in late February, he believed he was heading toward safety. Instead, he entered a Russian dugout, beginning nearly two weeks of captivity underground with an enemy soldier who would eventually surrender alongside him.

Lietunov, a 34-year-old serviceman from the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa, had arrived at his frontline post only a day before heavy bombardment began. According to his account, Russian forces subjected the position to repeated attacks for six to seven hours daily using kamikaze drones and mortar fire.He and another Ukrainian soldier, identified as Sasha, spent their days repairing the damaged dugout, putting out fires with bottles of urine and rebuilding protective walls using sacks filled with clay.

“The enemy knew we were there. It was trying to kill us,” Lietunov said while receiving treatment at a rehabilitation center in Odesa after the incident.The attacks intensified when Russian drone operators deployed a Molniya drone carrying an anti-tank mine. One explosion near the dugout entrance left both soldiers concussed.

Several similar strikes followed before another drone dropped a mine directly above their foxhole.The blast destroyed the roof and fatally wounded Sasha, tearing off both of his legs. Lietunov said he tried to pull his fellow soldier free but quickly realized he was dead. Expecting another strike within minutes, he fled the destroyed position wearing only socks and ran toward what he believed was a nearby Ukrainian shelter.

He found a fortified dugout hidden among trees, with a blanket covering the entrance. Shouting for help, he entered and saw a uniformed soldier aiming an automatic rifle at him.“I thought my guys were inside,” Lietunov said. “Then I heard his accent. He was Russian.”The soldier, later identified as Nikita, ordered him into a small underground chamber and assured him he would not be shot because he was unarmed.

On the wall hung a makeshift Christian cross built from wooden planks with the words “save and protect” written across it.Although Nikita initially promised to release him the next morning, he did not. Lietunov said he spent the first days expecting execution at any moment and concluded that survival depended on gaining the trust of his captor.

Drawing on psychology books he had read as a teenager, Lietunov began observing Nikita closely. He described the Russian soldier as a former prisoner and drug addict who had been released from jail to fight in Ukraine. According to Lietunov, Nikita had previously fled combat, been detained, and then returned to the front. His commander, whom he described as Chechen, communicated orders by radio.

Nikita searched Lietunov’s clothes and belongings, reportedly looking for drugs and hidden tracking devices, influenced by Russian state narratives portraying Ukrainian soldiers as drug users fitted with GPS transmitters.The dugout itself reflected the harsh conditions facing frontline troops on both sides. Lietunov said Nikita received only a small daily ration delivered by drone: a packet of porridge, jam, and a bottle of water.

Letters from Russian schoolchildren were pasted on the walls, each carrying nearly identical messages of support.Despite frequently insisting that Russia had the strongest army in the world, Nikita was cold, hungry, and isolated, Lietunov said.He also described his captor as unstable. At times, Nikita would place a gun against his forehead and threaten to kill him. On several occasions, he stopped without explanation.

“He would say, ‘I’m going to kill you right now,’ and then suddenly change his mind,” Lietunov said.To avoid provoking suspicion, Lietunov deliberately presented himself as weak and harmless. He later developed gangrene in one of his toes and, believing he might die there, asked Nikita to shoot him outside so his body could be recovered by Ukrainian forces.Nikita refused, according to Lietunov, fearing exposure to drones and artillery.

Meanwhile, Lietunov’s own brigade, the 118th, assumed he had likely been killed. His commander informed his mother, Mariia, that there was a 95% chance her son would not return. She fainted after hearing the news, he said.His wife, Alesya, remained convinced he was alive. The couple, who have a five-year-old son named Andriy, had already endured years of war since Lietunov joined the military hours after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

He had previously served in air defense and participated in operations linked to the liberation of Kherson.Inside the dugout, survival increasingly depended on water and trust. Nikita gave Lietunov one square of chocolate a day and a bottle cap of water. The Russian soldier complained about shortages and said troops were often forced to collect rainwater and even drink urine.

At one point, Nikita suggested surrendering to Ukrainian forces. Lietunov responded by describing the treatment of prisoners under the Geneva Conventions, including food, cigarettes, and regular conditions of detention. He said the subject came up five times.Eventually, when the dugout ran out of water, the two men left together in heavy fog. A Ukrainian drone hovered above them.

Lietunov used the moment to signal his identity, hanging a sign with his call-sign, “Cartman,” and his brigade number beside a tree.Initially, Ukrainian forces believed both men were Russian soldiers and prepared another strike. According to Lietunov, only after commanders checked his social media accounts did they realize the thin figure below was their missing comrade.A drone later dropped a radio, allowing direct communication with his brigade.

Lietunov carefully avoided provoking Nikita, fearing any sudden move could lead to violence. He arranged food deliveries, handing most of his share to the Russian soldier.“He had told me that when he was full, he was kind,” Lietunov said.Russian forces also continued sending supplies. One drone reportedly delivered an explosive device disguised as a log filled with TNT, which Nikita was ordered to place in the forest.

Lietunov said he remained uncertain until the final moment whether Nikita would surrender or kill them both.The standoff ended when thick fog allowed a Ukrainian armored vehicle to approach. Both men climbed into the back and were taken to Ukrainian brigade headquarters.There, Lietunov was reunited with fellow soldiers who had believed him dead. Nikita surrendered without resistance and destroyed his phone before entering custody.

Video recorded at the base showed him calmly stating that he had taken Vadym prisoner.Ukrainian security officers later transferred Nikita for interrogation. Lietunov said he requested that the Russian be treated properly, honoring a promise made during captivity. Officials indicated he could eventually be exchanged for Ukrainian prisoners of war.Now recovering after losing a toe, Lietunov remains on crutches in Odesa, reunited with his family.

“I was a prisoner,” he said. “But in the end, I came out with a prisoner.”

“Yesterday, there was some rather unusual activity along the Ukraine-Belarus border on the Belarusian side,” Zelensky said in his daily evening address to the nation.“We are closely monitoring the situation, keeping everything under control, and will respond if necessary,” he added, without providing further details about the troop movements, military deployments or the nature of the activity observed.

Ukraine’s air force and border guard did not immediately comment on the statement.The remarks come after Kyiv had in recent weeks publicly urged Belarus not to increase its participation in the conflict, warning against any actions that could expand the northern front of the war.

Belarus, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, allowed Russian forces to use its territory as a staging ground during the initial phase of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Russian troops launched attacks toward Kyiv from Belarusian territory during the opening weeks of the war.

Although Belarusian forces have not directly entered combat in Ukraine, Minsk has continued to provide logistical and strategic support to Moscow, including hosting Russian troops, military exercises and tactical nuclear deployments announced by the Kremlin in previous years.

President Alexander Lukashenko has repeatedly denied plans for direct military intervention but has maintained strong political and security alignment with Russia throughout the conflict.The northern border remains a sensitive security zone for Ukraine, forcing Kyiv to maintain military readiness there even as intense fighting continues on the eastern and southern fronts.

Analysts say any renewed military buildup in Belarus could pressure Ukraine to divert troops from active battle zones, even if no immediate cross-border attack is planned.Zelensky’s warning comes as Ukraine continues to seek stronger Western military support while monitoring Russian troop activity across multiple fronts amid renewed battlefield pressure and broader regional instability.

Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev said two apartment blocks were hit in the attack, leading to a partial collapse of one building entrance. The victims were later pulled from the rubble during rescue operations.“Two people an adult woman and a child have died in Syzran following an attack by an enemy drone,” Fedorishchev said in a statement, describing the incident as a crime against civilians.

Russia’s Emergency Ministry, cited by domestic news agencies, said rescue efforts had been completed and that no additional victims were believed to be trapped under the debris. No further casualty details were provided.

There was no immediate response from Ukraine. Both Kyiv and Moscow have consistently denied deliberately targeting civilian populations since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The strike comes as Ukraine has intensified attacks on Russian infrastructure in recent months, particularly energy-related sites, while U.S.-mediated peace talks remain on hold and Washington’s attention is partly focused on escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Syzran, located roughly 1,000 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, is home to a major oil refinery, underscoring its strategic importance within Russia’s energy network.

Vladimir region governor Alexander Avdeev said on Telegram that “enemy drones attacked civilian infrastructure,” adding that two adults and their seven-year-old son were killed when a drone struck a residential building.

He said a five-year-old girl was hospitalized with burns.Russian officials said the scale of aerial activity was among the largest reported in recent months, with air defence systems engaged across multiple regions.

Some of the drones were approaching Moscow, leading aviation authorities to briefly suspend operations at the capital’s airports as a precautionary measure.No immediate comment was issued by Ukrainian authorities regarding the reported strikes.

Both sides have intensified drone warfare as part of the broader conflict, frequently targeting infrastructure and logistical nodes.

The incident underscores the continued expansion of aerial attacks beyond frontline areas, with civilian regions increasingly affected as both Russia and Ukraine deploy long-range unmanned systems.

Zelensky said on X that he had instructed Ukraine’s intelligence chief to brief Kyiv’s international partners on the reported plans, which he described as part of Moscow’s continued use of Belarusian territory and occupied areas of Ukraine to support drone operations.

In his nightly video address, Zelensky said the intelligence indicated Russia intends to build additional ground control stations to enhance long-range drone capabilities. He added that Belarus had previously played a role in amplifying the impact of Russian strikes earlier in the conflict, before Ukraine took countermeasures.

“We now have information from our intelligence that Russia intends to continue using the territory of Belarus and temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine to build ground control stations for long-range drones,” he said.

Zelensky warned that Ukraine would respond to any such developments. “There will be responses to this. And they will be felt,” he said, without providing details.

The Belarusian foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside business hours.

Ukrainian officials said the suspension applies mainly to attacks on energy infrastructure, which has been repeatedly targeted during winter. The move comes as temperatures in Kyiv are forecast to plunge dramatically, raising fears of widespread humanitarian hardship.

Authorities in Ukraine said they are prepared to reciprocate by halting strikes on certain Russian infrastructure during this period. However, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stressed that there is no binding truce or signed agreement between the two sides.

The decision follows intense diplomatic pressure from Washington, which has been pushing for limited confidence-building measures. Officials described the pause as an opportunity to explore negotiations rather than a breakthrough toward ending the war.

Kyiv has suffered repeated blackouts and heating outages due to sustained attacks on power facilities. With winter conditions worsening, any interruption to electricity and heating poses serious risks to civilian life.

Ukrainian authorities confirmed that no overnight strikes were reported on major energy facilities after the announcement. Still, military officials warned that Russia has shifted focus toward logistics and supply routes in recent days.

In Moscow, officials acknowledged that the request came directly from Trump and was accepted to create space for talks. They emphasized that the halt is temporary and conditional, not a permanent change in military strategy.

Residents of Kyiv remain skeptical that the pause will hold or lead to lasting relief. Many say they have grown accustomed to short-lived promises that fail to stop long-term attacks.

“I don’t trust any of it,” said a retired resident in the capital, reflecting widespread public doubt. People fear that strikes could resume at full force once the pause expires.

Ukraine’s air defenses have been stretched thin after months of heavy drone and missile attacks. Delays in deliveries of air defense systems have worsened the country’s ability to protect major cities.

Officials said European funding delays affected shipments of key defensive equipment through U.S. programs. This left Kyiv vulnerable during recent waves of strikes that knocked out heating across entire districts.

Despite the halt over Kyiv, Ukrainian military sources reported continued clashes and strikes in other regions. Fighting remains intense along eastern front lines, particularly in the Donetsk region.

Russia continues to advance slowly in contested areas, maintaining pressure far beyond the capital. Analysts say this underscores how limited and fragile the current pause really is.

Weather forecasts indicate temperatures could drop as low as minus 26 degrees Celsius from Sunday. Hundreds of residential buildings are still without heating, deepening concerns for elderly and vulnerable residents.

Diplomatic efforts remain complicated by unresolved issues, especially territory and control of strategic sites. Ukraine has firmly rejected any proposal that involves surrendering land captured during the war.

Officials said the idea of suspending strikes on energy facilities was discussed during recent talks abroad. Future meetings may be delayed or relocated due to shifting global diplomatic priorities.

Despite cautious language from leaders, many Ukrainians see little reason for optimism. They say survival through another harsh winter remains the immediate priority.

The delegation is expected to engage with key figures involved in shaping the US approach to the conflict, focusing on the details of a proposed peace framework. Ukrainian officials have emphasized that their objective is not merely a ceasefire, but a settlement that ensures long term stability and sovereignty.

According to officials in Kyiv, the talks will center on security guarantees that could protect Ukraine from future aggression once hostilities end. These discussions are seen as essential, given the scale of the conflict and the ongoing fighting along a front line stretching over vast territory.

Despite repeated diplomatic efforts over the past several years, the war has shown no signs of fully de escalating. Military engagements continue daily, underscoring the urgency behind the latest negotiations taking place on American soil.

Ukraine and the United States have reportedly worked together on a detailed peace proposal containing multiple points addressing military, political, and economic concerns. However, the absence of a clear response from Russia remains one of the biggest obstacles to progress.

Among the most sensitive topics expected to dominate the talks are territorial questions, future defense arrangements, and the status of critical infrastructure under occupation. These issues are deeply complex and carry significant consequences for regional and global security.

Ukrainian officials have also indicated that post war reconstruction will form a key part of the agenda. Years of conflict have caused extensive damage to infrastructure, housing, and industry, making international investment crucial for recovery.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has expressed hope that upcoming international meetings will help unlock large scale reconstruction funding. Such investments are viewed as vital not only for rebuilding Ukraine, but also for ensuring economic resilience in the years following the war.

The United States has played a central role in diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the conflict, with President Trump personally urging both Kyiv and Moscow to move toward an agreement. His administration’s involvement has added renewed momentum, even as battlefield realities remain difficult.

Officials involved in the talks have described the current phase as decisive, noting that prolonged delays could harden positions on all sides. The challenge lies in balancing compromise with the need to preserve Ukraine’s core national interests.

As negotiations continue, expectations remain cautious rather than optimistic. Past rounds of dialogue have often ended without concrete outcomes, highlighting how difficult it is to bridge the gap between diplomatic proposals and realities on the ground.

The visit underscores Ukraine’s determination to pursue every available diplomatic channel. It also signals that international engagement remains a key pillar of Kyiv’s strategy to secure a just and lasting peace.

Talks remain ongoing. No final agreement has been reached.