After fresh Russian drone strikes, Ukrainians on Wednesday (September 23) questioned the prospects for a lasting peace as Kyiv and its outskirts came under renewed attack.
Smoke rose from a Nova Post terminal in Vyshneve, near Kyiv, after it was hit in a Russian drone attack. City authorities said one person was killed and seven others were injured in attacks on the capital.
In central Kyiv, residents observed the daily minute of silence for those killed in the war. Some expressed scepticism that ongoing negotiations would bring an end to the fighting.
Energy worker Mykola Nechypurenko was among a team repairing damage to the power network on Tuesday (September 22), shortly before President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met US President Donald Trump. He said he saw little chance of a bilateral ceasefire covering attacks on energy infrastructure.
Zelenskiy said he was ready for “any format” of an energy ceasefire with Moscow, provided Russia halted attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure.
A day later, however, Russia launched jet-powered drones at Kyiv, renewing questions over whether diplomatic efforts can translate into a sustained halt in the fighting.