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.