Zelensky says Kyiv strikes show no change after Putin talks

Russia fired three waves of ballistic missiles at Kyiv overnight into Thursday, Oct. 22, launching 21 missiles in total. The strikes began shortly after US special envoy Steve Witkoff met Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the timing showed "there are no real changes" in Moscow's attitude. He called the attack a "demonstrative strike" that came "practically immediately after another round of talks." He also mocked Witkoff's description of Putin as a "humanist".france24.com+1

According to Zelensky, 12 regions were hit overnight. Two people were killed and 34 were injured, five of them children. "When Russian ballistic missiles are the response to negotiations, real pressure on Russia is needed," he said. He listed stronger air defense, quick missile deliveries, the ability to destroy ballistic missile launchers, and sanctions as his priorities.unn.ua

Cluster warheads hit historic center

Zelensky said three of the missiles carried cluster warheads. These burst in the air near their targets and spread damage over an area about 400 meters across. One of them struck Pechersk, Kyiv's historic district, between the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and the Holy Presentation Monastery. Monastery buildings, homes, shops and cafés were damaged. "There was no military target nearby, not even in theory," he wrote. Presidential adviser Serhii Beskrestnov said one missile was an Iskander with a K5 cluster warhead that carries 58 bomblets.euronews.com+1

Ukraine's Air Force said the attack also used S-400, Zircon and Onyx missiles, along with 210 drones. Zelensky said Russia has hit critical energy sites more than 170 times since Oct. 11. He added that Moscow is "clearly taking advantage of the slowdown in air defense supplies from our partners".x.com+1

Diplomacy under strain

The Kremlin said it was willing to restart three-way talks with Kyiv and Washington next month. It rejected new proposals Witkoff brought that had been drafted with European countries and Ukraine. Witkoff called his meeting with Putin "constructive," but said "there is still important work left to do". On Wednesday, President Donald Trump said negotiators were "maybe now the closest we've been" to ending the war.france24.com

Relations between Kyiv and Washington are tense. In recent days, Trump has blocked new sanctions on Russia, struck a deal to buy Russian diesel, and called for Zelensky to be replaced. Zelensky met Witkoff in Norway on Tuesday, Oct. 20. Also on Thursday, The Wall Street Journal News Corp ↗ 2.03% reported that Trump had asked Elon Musk to lift speed restrictions on Ukraine's Starlink service.jpost.com+1

Zelensky said Russia "has not changed the way it wages this war, and it is taking no steps that would signal a genuine desire to end it".x.com