According to Al Jazeera, Russian forces attacked the Ukrainian capital Kyiv in the early hours of Thursday, killing at least one person and injuring 22, including four children. This occurred a day after US envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg, aiming to promote a restart of Russia-Ukraine peace talks.

Ukraine's State Emergency Service reported that Kyiv's subway infrastructure was also damaged. On the Russian side, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin stated that Ukraine launched 630 drones towards the region, with 163 targeting Moscow, injuring two people, and most drones being intercepted.

US President Donald Trump subsequently stated that he believes the Russia-Ukraine war may be nearing its end. However, the Kremlin adopted a more cautious stance, expressing willingness in principle to restart US-brokered talks with Ukraine, but stating that peace proposals from Ukraine and Europe lacked "substance." Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said on Thursday that "appeasement, subservience, and flattery" would not stop Russia's war actions, and only strength would.