Abu Dhabi Talks Advance as Ukraine-Russia War Intensifies with Overnight Strikes

Kyiv and Moscow traded drones and missiles overnight as the United States confirmed talks with Russian officials in Abu Dhabi aimed at moving toward a political end to the war.

Kyiv authorities reported six people killed in new Russian strikes on the capital, while Rostov region officials said three people died in a Ukrainian attack across the border.

In Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed revisions to a 28 point peace proposal that had drawn European criticism for favoring Moscow. A version refined by European partners followed talks in Geneva between US and Ukrainian teams.

Ukraine security chief Rustem Umerov said Kyiv expects Zelensky to visit the United States at the earliest suitable time in November to advance talks with President Donald Trump.

Russian officials dismissed the amendments as unconstructive, while a US official told INLIBER that Washington would continue discussions with Russian representatives in Abu Dhabi to pursue the plan.

Separately, a coalition of European allies planned a virtual meeting to discuss progress, led by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, according to government briefings.

During the night, Kyiv reported a major fire in the Dniprovskyi district amid an air assault, with emergency crews evacuating residents from high rise buildings. Eighteen people were rescued, including three children, as crews contained the blaze in central Kyiv.

Ukraine noted an extensive assault on energy facilities as air defence systems responded to explosions across multiple regions, underscoring the disruption to power supplies amid the conflict.

President Zelensky said the strikes included 22 missiles and more than 460 drones, with four crossing into Moldova and Romania airspace.

In Russia the death toll in the Rostov region rose to three, two of whom died in hospital. One casualty was reported in Taganrog, with ten others injured as rescue teams continued their search and relief work.

In Krasnodar, regional authorities called the Ukraine attacks among the most prolonged and intense near Kyiv in recent weeks.

The peace plan, drafted by the United States and Russia, continues to draw scrutiny. Kyiv and EU partners insist any settlement must safeguard Ukraine’s sovereignty and deter future aggression. Washington says it remains engaged with both sides to test concrete paths forward.

The conflict has caused widespread devastation, with thousands killed and millions displaced as the war enters its fourth year.

Key Takeaways

• Overnight strikes persist as diplomatic talks in Abu Dhabi advance
• Revisions to a 28 point peace plan draw mixed reactions from Kyiv and allies
• Kyiv links a possible Zelensky visit to US talks with President Trump
• Civilian casualties and energy infrastructure damage highlight the war’s toll

Expert comment: Analysts say real progress hinges on concrete concessions from both sides; the Abu Dhabi discussions could shape the next phase of diplomacy even if outcomes stay uncertain.

The overview of the conflict remains deeply uncertain, with no clear timetable for a comprehensive ceasefire or a durable political settlement.

In summary, diplomacy in Abu Dhabi runs alongside ongoing military actions that underscore the fragile path to peace. European and American officials say they will stay engaged in the coming days to test new proposals.

Diplomatic efforts in Abu Dhabi aim to unlock a path toward de-escalation even as nocturnal strikes remind everyone that the war persists. Source: BBC