Ukraine and Russia exchange deadly attacks while negotiators revise US peace plan ahead of Thanksgiving deadline, with casualties reported on both sides
KYIV: Ukraine and Russia exchanged deadly overnight strikes as negotiators raced to revise a peace framework ahead of a US-imposed deadline.
US President Donald Trump has given Kyiv until November 27 to respond to his proposal to end the nearly four-year conflict.
The original 28-point plan required Ukraine to cede territory, cut its military and pledge never to join NATO.
An updated version aiming to “uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty” was thrashed out during emergency weekend talks in Geneva.
Countries supporting Kyiv will hold a video call Tuesday to discuss the revised framework.
Russia’s defence ministry said it intercepted and destroyed 249 Ukrainian drones in one of the highest reported figures.
At least three people were killed in strikes on Russia’s Rostov region, according to acting governor Yuri Sliusar.
Governor Veniamin Kondratyev described the bombardment of Krasnodar as “one of the Kyiv regime’s most sustained and massive attacks”.
In Kyiv, authorities reported at least two deaths and seven wounded after missiles and drones targeted Ukraine’s energy sector.
President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that “Russia will not ease its pressure on Ukraine” as air raid sirens blared across the capital.
Zelensky previously described Ukraine as being in a “critical moment” facing potential loss of either “dignity” or Washington’s alliance.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to seize more Ukrainian territory if Kyiv walks away from negotiations.
Russia currently occupies approximately one-fifth of Ukraine following years of devastating fighting.
The conflict represents the largest and deadliest war on European soil since World War II.
Tens of thousands of civilians and military personnel have been killed since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Ukrainian, American and European officials met in Switzerland after the initial US proposal faced widespread criticism.
A joint US-Ukrainian statement announced an “updated and refined peace framework” following the weekend discussions.
Kyiv’s delegation said the latest draft “already reflects most of Ukraine’s key priorities”.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed doubt about reaching a deal by Trump’s November 27 deadline.
Many European governments were unsettled by the prospect of ending the war on Moscow’s terms.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt rejected claims that Trump was favouring Russia in negotiations.
A senior US official told AFP that Washington had pressed Ukraine to accept the proposal.
The anonymous official said Ukraine understood that rejecting US proposals could risk aid cutoff.
The source acknowledged confusion about Washington’s urgency but said “everyon
