Russian drone attack results in death of 12-year-old boy in Ukraine as secret peace negotiations continue

KYIV, Ukraine A Russian drone strike hit a residential building in central Ukraine, killing a 12-year-old boy and injuring two women, local officials reported. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces conducted long-range drone attacks targeting a Russian port and an oil refinery, as confidential U.S. peace negotiations continued behind closed doors.

U.S. representatives, including a special envoy and a senior advisor, were scheduled to meet with a Ukrainian delegation in Miami, following discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow earlier in the week. No official confirmation has been provided about whether the planned meeting took place.

Previous attempts to mediate the conflict have failed, and the nearly four-year war shows no signs of slowing. Details of the latest peace discussions remain largely undisclosed, although an initial 28-point U.S. proposal was leaked.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that his delegation in Miami sought updates from the U.S. regarding the Kremlin talks. Zelenskyy and his European allies have accused Russia of delaying negotiations while continuing its military operations. In a video address, Zelenskyy questioned the additional excuses Russia might use to prolong the conflict and pressure Ukraine.

Russian foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov, returning from a visit to India with President Putin, criticized European countries positions in the peace process. He claimed that European demands were obstructing progress and making it difficult for Washington and Moscow to reach an agreement on Ukraine.

In Dnipropetrovsk region, the drone strike destroyed a house, resulting in the death of the boy and injuries to two women, according to regional military head Vladyslav Haivanenko. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched 137 drones during the night.

Ukrainian drones also targeted a port in Russias Krasnodar region, causing a fire at Temryuk sea port and damaging infrastructure. Additionally, drones struck the city of Syzran on the Volga River, reportedly hitting an oil refinery approximately 800 kilometers east of Ukraines border, according to unconfirmed media reports.

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that its air defenses intercepted 85 Ukrainian drones over Russian territories and Crimea overnight.

Author: Ethan Caldwell