Russia Launches Missile Strikes on Kyiv Following U.S. Envoys' Visit

<p>Russia attacked Kyiv with ballistic missiles on September 8, 2026, after U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner visited Ukraine's capital as part of an effort to resume stalled peace negotiations.</p><p>Ukrainian officials reported that the attack involved both ballistic and cruise missiles, resulting in damage to residential buildings in two districts of the city. Residents were urged to remain indoors during the strikes.</p><p>Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, indicated that some individuals were trapped inside a residential building following the attacks.</p><p>The missile strikes caused fires throughout the city, including at an educational facility, and occurred after Witkoff and Kushner met with Ukrainian officials in Kyiv on September 6. The day before, they had met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow as part of efforts by the Trump administration to end the war that began in February 2022.</p><p>Witkoff stated that Ukraine and Russia had agreed to a three-day ceasefire prior to their visit, following months without significant progress toward a peace agreement. This ceasefire ended on September 8.</p><p>Witkoff noted on X that "substantive progress was made, including movement on scheduling additional trilateral talks. President Trump is working hard to stop the killing and work towards a lasting and durable peace."</p><p>On the morning of September 8, the governor of the Russian city of Saratov reported that a Ukrainian drone struck civilian infrastructure, resulting in injuries.</p><p>Ukrainian officials indicated that Russian attacks had killed multiple individuals and wounded dozens across Ukraine in the previous day. Additionally, Ukrainian drones targeted three Russian oil refineries on September 6.</p>