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Update, Nov. 10, 5:23 a.m. Central: Delegations from Ukraine, Russia and the United States opened talks in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, The Associated Press reported. The two-day meeting is the first U.S.-brokered round between Russia and Ukraine since February, Reuters reported.
Update, Nov. 9: Russia said its forces targeted electrical substations in four Ukrainian regions Monday, The Associated Press reported. In a statement from his office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen agreed that the EU would activate an emergency mechanism to help fund urgent needs. They also discussed winter energy assistance and coordinated their positions ahead of the Abu Dhabi talks.
Russian missile and drone strikes wounded at least nine people in Ukraine on Saturday, including a child, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The overnight barrage damaged homes and power infrastructure just days before negotiators from Ukraine, Russia and the United States are due to meet in Abu Dhabi.
Outages and a bridge closure in Kyiv
Missiles damaged residential and commercial property in Kyiv, where the strikes disrupted electricity and water service, The Associated Press reported. Officials closed the Northern Bridge, a major crossing that connects parts of the capital with neighborhoods east of the Dnipro River. Mayor Vitali Klitschko later said repairs were underway and water pressure had stabilized.
Ukraine’s Energy Ministry said damage to transmission networks hampered the flow of electricity to Kyiv and central Ukraine. It reported outages in five regions, including Kyiv, Zhytomyr and Kharkiv. Those interruptions came on top of rolling blackouts already in use to ease pressure on the grid, according to AP.
Zelenskyy said Russia launched 172 drones and 36 ballistic missiles. He said Ukrainian air defenses intercepted four of the ballistic missiles and attributed the low interception rate to a shortage of Patriot interceptors. In a public update, he said officials had begun planning backup transport routes and reviewing the work needed to restore power.
Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed targeting the bridge and said it was used to move military equipment. The ministry also said Russian forces struck power and industrial facilities. AP reported damage to civilian property in the capital.
Negotiators are due in Abu Dhabi
The three delegations are scheduled to meet Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 10 and 11, AFP reported. Zelenskyy said he believed Moscow was stepping up attacks to increase pressure before the meetings. He called for stronger sanctions on Russia and more support from the United States.
The immediate questions in Kyiv are how quickly crews can restore power and reopen the bridge. In Abu Dhabi, the question is whether the three delegations can agree on any concrete steps toward ending the war. The meeting dates are set, but the public announcements cited by AFP offered no assurance of a breakthrough.