Russian strikes kill 10, cloud Zelensky’s peace mission to Turkey

Russia launched heavy missile and drone strikes on several Ukrainian cities overnight, killing at least 10 people and casting doubt on President Volodymyr Zelensky’s effort to “reinvigorate” the peace process during talks scheduled in Ankara on Wednesday.

Zelensky arrived in Turkey on Wednesday morning for a visit that had raised hopes of restarting stalled diplomatic moves aimed at ending Russia’s invasion. But the latest wave of Russian attacks marked another phase in an intensifying campaign targeting Ukraine’s energy facilities and hitting civilian areas as winter approaches.

Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said two multi-storey residential buildings in the western city of Ternopil were struck, sharing images of the destroyed structures with flames burning through their shattered windows. Streets were covered with debris as thick grey smoke rose over parts of the city following explosions reported around 7:00 am (0500 GMT).

“Not military targets, but simply someone’s homes. This morning Russia struck them, killing at least 10 people and injuring four dozens more,” Sybiga said. Authorities warned that the death toll may rise.

Emergency services said rescuers were still pulling residents from blocked apartments, noting that people were trapped under the rubble. Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched more than 476 drones and 48 missiles, and that 442 drones and 41 missiles were intercepted.

Officials in Ternopil also warned that large fires had pushed chlorine levels to six times the normal limit, urging residents to stay indoors and keep their windows closed. The overnight strikes also injured at least 46 people in the Kharkiv region and hit other areas in western Ukraine.

Ahead of his meetings in Turkey, Zelensky called on Ukraine’s Western partners to intensify efforts to pressure Moscow. He said, “Every brazen attack against ordinary life shows that the pressure on Russia is insufficient.” A day earlier, he stated that the Ankara visit would help “reinvigorate” frozen peace talks.

A senior Ukrainian official told AFP that the “main goal is for the Americans to re-engage” in the peace process. Kyiv hopes Washington can push Moscow toward negotiations through sanctions and other actions. However, uncertainty grew over whether Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff would attend the talks, following reports that he had cancelled his planned trip.

The head of Zelensky’s office, Andriy Yermak, confirmed he is in “constant communication with representatives of President (Trump)’s administration, including US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff,” without confirming if a meeting would take place in Turkey. Witkoff has also not commented on whether he will travel.

Zelensky is expected to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara later in the afternoon, where he said they will “discuss the best ways to ensure Ukraine achieves a just peace.” Turkey has hosted three rounds of talks between Russia and Ukraine this year, but outcomes have been limited to prisoner swaps and the return of soldiers’ remains.

The Kremlin said no Russian official will attend the Ankara discussions but insisted it remains open to negotiations. It also declined to comment on a report by Axios claiming Moscow and Washington had explored a secret peace plan to end the nearly four-year war.

Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has tried to use his personal relationship with President Vladimir Putin to stop the war, though without results so far.

Meanwhile, Russian forces continue slow advances on the frontlines, and Putin has demanded that Kyiv give up more territory and end Western military assistance before Moscow halts its invasion.