Russia and Ukraine Trade Deadly Strikes as Diplomacy Stalls

In late September 2026, Russia and Ukraine carried out overnight aerial strikes on each other's territory, with reports of at least 5 to 16 people killed and more than 20 injured. Both sides blamed the other for the attacks. The strikes forced Ukraine's largest steelmaker to close, and Russia's summer air campaign was described as having shifted momentum in the war.

At the United Nations, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia would achieve its war aims and accused Europe of blocking peace talks. US President Donald Trump called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to "settle with Putin" and declined to say whether Ukraine could manufacture Patriot missiles to defend against Russian attacks. Russian President Vladimir Putin denied plans to attack Europe.