Russia intensifies attacks on Kyiv as U.S. promotes peace talks

Russia said it will step up strikes on Kyiv and other major Ukrainian cities after a drone attack damaged a key bridge in the capital over the weekend. The escalation comes amid ongoing attacks on energy, communications, and transport infrastructure, which Moscow says are retaliation for Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries. A drone hit Kyiv’s Northern Bridge over the Dnipro River on Saturday, disrupting traffic and injuring two people, according to city officials. The strike followed recent attacks on the city’s Southern Bridge and came shortly after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Kyiv to announce additional military aid for Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the Trump administration has proposed fresh trilateral peace talks by the end of October, and Kyiv is open to hosting the meeting in the United Arab Emirates or another location suggested by the U.S. Zelenskyy said Ukraine would respond positively to negotiations, while Moscow accused him of responsibility for the intensified strikes.