 "Russia has escalated its attacks on Ukraine as Kyiv and its allies seek to finalise a US-brokered plan. (File/Reuters)")
Two people were killed after Russia carried out overnight strikes on Kyiv, Ukrainian authorities said on Monday. The attacks prompted a countrywide air alert and came amid an escalation in fighting.
One person was killed in the capital , according to Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s military administration. Another death was reported in the neighbouring city of Fastiv, where a man in his 70s was killed, Kyiv regional governor Mykola Kalashnyk said.
Attacks intensify amid diplomatic efforts
Russia has stepped up its attacks on Ukraine as Kyiv and its allies work to finalise a US-brokered plan aimed at ending Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.
Last month, Russia alleged that Ukraine had attempted to strike the home of President Vladimir Putin, a claim Trump said Putin had conveyed to him during a phone call. At the time, President Donald Trump said he was troubled by the reported incident, appearing to accept the Russian leader’s account, even as Ukraine strongly denied any involvement.
However, according to US officials, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has since assessed that Ukraine was not targeting a residence used by Putin during a recent drone attack in northern Russia, contradicting the claim made by the Russian president. CIA Director John Ratcliffe briefed Trump on the assessment on Wednesday, the officials said.
Trump on Sunday denied reports that Putin’s residence was attacked with drones by Ukraine.
“I don’t believe that strike happened,” Trump responded to a reporter’s question aboard Air Force One, noting how “nobody knew at that moment” whether the report was true.