Rising tensions: Russia escalates strikes amid peace talk snub
Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraine. Another massive strike took place early on Sunday morning. An air raid alarm was declared across the country, with loud explosions heard in Kyiv.
According to NEXTA, while discussions continue about a possible ceasefire and negotiations with Putin, Russia is attacking Ukraine with greater frequency. Before 18 February, there were 101 attacks daily; following this date, Moscow has been striking as many as 154 times a day.
On 18 February, talks were held in Riyadh, attended by delegations from the USA and Russia. This was intended to mark the beginning of peace talks concerning Ukraine.
However, neither Ukraine nor the European Union received invitations to the talks, causing outrage in Kyiv and most European capitals. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that he would not acknowledge the outcomes of the talks in Riyadh because any negotiations concerning Ukraine are meaningless without Ukraine's involvement.
Russia's attacks on Ukraine
Three people were injured in Kyiv as a result of Russia's overnight missile attack, reported the mayor of Ukraine's capital, Vitali Klitschko, on Sunday. Local authorities noted that fires erupted in at least three districts due to the shelling.
Sirens wailed in Kyiv twice — around 2 AM local time, when the air raid alert lasted approximately 2.5 hours, and then around 5 AM local time. Explosions were also heard at those times.
Also on Sunday, the Ukrainian military reported that during the night from Saturday to Sunday, 13 out of 23 missiles launched by Russia were intercepted. They also shot down 40 out of 109 Russian drones, and contact was lost with 53 drones after Ukrainian forces used electronic warfare measures.
Russia struck a residential district
The night before, Russians attacked Kryvyi Rih, the hometown of Volodymyr Zelensky. A missile hit a restaurant in a densely populated district, as reported by social media users.
The Russian Ministry of Defence claimed that the target of the attack was a location where a meeting of Ukrainian soldiers with Western instructors was taking place. The government in Kyiv emphasised that this is disinformation.
