Ukraine War: Putin Talks Amid Alleged Child Deportations

Russian forces struck Kyiv with missiles and drones on Thursday, killing at least two people and injuring 34. The attack came hours after U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff met Vladimir Putin, who was wanted by the International Criminal Court over the alleged unlawful deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children. Witkoff said Moscow was ready to resume trilateral talks with Kyiv and Washington.

Children at the centre of the diplomatic moment

The reported strikes followed Witkoff’s meeting with Putin in St. Petersburg. During the visit, Witkoff called the Russian president a “humanitarian.” The International Criminal Court wanted Putin over the alleged unlawful deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children, according to the report.

The account doesn't detail the children's cases or the alleged transfers. Instead, it connects the ICC matter to Putin as the envoy met him and discussed renewed talks. Witkoff said Moscow was ready to resume trilateral talks involving Kyiv and Washington.

Civilians hit in Kyiv

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the large-scale Russian aerial assault on Kyiv and the surrounding region killed at least two people and injured 34, including five children. Kyiv authorities reported damage in the Holosiivskyi, Obolonskyi, Pecherskyi, Sviatoshynskyi and Dniprovskyi districts.

The bombardment came in several waves. Ballistic missiles and drones hit residential neighbourhoods, transport facilities and medical infrastructure, according to the article. Serhii Beskrestnov, a Ukrainian presidential adviser known by the callsign “Flash,” said Russian forces hit Kyiv’s historic centre with an Iskander ballistic missile carrying a K5 cluster warhead.

Beskrestnov said the warhead detonates above ground, scattering dozens of explosive submunitions across an area of 400 by 400 metres. Its 58 bomblets explode in the air, he said. “This warhead detonates above the ground and is used specifically for inflicting maximum harm to people and equipment over an area of 400 by 400 metres,” he said.

Beskrestnov accused Moscow of deliberately targeting civilians and Kyiv’s historic Old Town, rather than pursuing a military objective. “This strike wasn't carried out for military purposes. The goal was to destroy part of the Old Town and injure as many people as possible. We have many wounded civilians and widespread destruction,” he said.

Missiles, drones and renewed talks

Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched 210 drones, including 110 jet-powered variants, alongside Iskander-M, S-400, Zircon and Onyx missiles. Ukrainian air defences intercepted 181 drones, including 87 jet-powered variants. Strikes hit 32 locations, while falling debris landed at another eight.

Zelenskyy said Russia fired 21 missiles in total. “Three waves of ballistic strikes were launched by Russian ‘humanists’ on Kyiv since the evening,” he said.

Moscow said it intercepted 630 Ukrainian drones targeting the Russian capital. Drone and missile strikes continued on Thursday as diplomatic contact took place in St. Petersburg. France 24 reported that Witkoff met Putin before saying Moscow was ready to resume talks with Kyiv and Washington.