Symbolic imageRussia strikes Kyiv after Witkoff-Putin talks as Ukrainian drones target Moscow
Russia hit Kyiv with ballistic missiles, some with cluster warheads, hours after Witkoff met Putin. Ukraine sent hundreds of drones toward Moscow.
Russia fired 21 missiles at Kyiv in three waves overnight to Thursday, 22 October, a day after Witkoff met Putin in St Petersburg, Zelensky said. Three were ballistic missiles with cluster warheads, one of which hit the historic Pechersk district near monastery buildings. Casualty counts differ: Meduza reported one dead and over 20 injured, the Financial Times two dead and over 30 injured. Zelensky said the attack showed 'no real change' in Russia's attitude and urged allies to speed up air defence deliveries.
Drones toward Moscow
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said 630 Ukrainian drones were headed for Moscow and its region, 163 of them shot down on the approach to the city. Russian officials reported two to three injured, and Moscow airports halted operations for several hours, the Financial Times reported.
Talks remain open
Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said Putin agreed in principle to resume trilateral talks after 10 November. Witkoff had called Putin a 'humanitarian' across the table; Downing Street said it did not recognise that description.
Other opinions
Russia's Defence Ministry says it hit missile and drone production and storage sites and transport infrastructure; Zelensky says the choice of target aimed to maximise civilian harm.