At least two individuals were reported killed in a drone attack that struck Russia's southwestern Saratov region. In addition, parts of Ukraine experienced power outages following targeted assaults on energy infrastructure. These developments were confirmed by local authorities on Saturday as U.S.-led peace talks aimed at resolving the ongoing war in Ukraine continue.
The drone attack in Saratov resulted in significant damage, affecting a residential building and causing windows to shatter at a nearby kindergarten and clinic, as described by Saratov regional Governor Roman Busargin. In response to the situation, Russia's defense ministry announced that it had successfully shot down 41 Ukrainian drones over its territory overnight.
In Ukraine, retaliatory strikes were launched by Russia, involving both drone and missile attacks across five regions, specifically targeting energy and port facilities. Notably, an assault on the Black Sea city of Odesa resulted in grain silos at the port catching fire, as reported by Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba. He also noted that energy infrastructure in settlements across the region sustained damage.
Further damage to energy facilities was reported in the Chernihiv, Kirovohrad, and Mykolaiv regions. Ukrainian regional head Oleksandr Prokudin stated that similar attacks had left parts of the Kherson region, including its capital city, without power on Saturday. Kyiv and its Western allies accused Russia of attempting to "cripple the Ukrainian power grid," thereby denying civilians essential access to heat, light, and running water for the fourth consecutive winter. Ukrainian officials have criticized these actions as "weaponizing" the cold against civilians.
This latest wave of attacks comes in the wake of remarks made by Kremlin advisor Yuri Ushakov, who stated on Friday that Russian police and National Guard forces will remain in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine and oversee its industrial activities. This commitment reflects Moscow's intention to retain its foothold in Donbas even if a peace settlement is reached, a stance likely to be rejected by Ukraine amid ongoing negotiations led by the U.S.
Ushakov asserted that Moscow would agree to a ceasefire only after Ukrainian forces have retreated from the front line, underscoring the complexities involved in reaching a resolution. Meanwhile, German officials are preparing to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for discussions on Monday as diplomatic efforts intensify, with European leaders eager to guide the negotiations forward.
For several months, American negotiators have been working to reconcile the demands from both sides, as U.S. President Donald Trump pushes for a rapid conclusion to Russia's military aggression while expressing frustration over the slow pace of talks. Efforts to identify potential compromises have faced significant hurdles, particularly concerning the issue of territorial control of regions currently occupied by Russian forces.
