Russia Unleashes Fresh Waves of Attacks Across Ukraine, Endangering Diplomatic Efforts

Kyiv, Ukraine – Russia has launched a massive attack across 14 Ukrainian regions, with at least one person reported killed and 30 injured in the latest bombardment, according to Kyiv. This comes amid a series of intense strikes that have caused significant casualties and damage, threatening to unravel ongoing diplomatic momentum aimed at ending the conflict.

The latest assaults follow a period of heavy Russian activity. Just days prior, Russia initiated a major attack on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, resulting in the deaths of at least 19 people, including four children, in the early hours of Thursday evening. Other reports indicate 23 people were killed in Kyiv during overnight attacks that also damaged a block of flats and the EU's delegation offices. Four children, aged between two and 17, were among those killed in Kyiv, and 64 people were injured in these attacks. A missile reportedly struck a five-story residential building in Kyiv's Darnytskyi district, demolishing it from the first to the fifth floor, accounting for most fatalities there.

Widespread Damage and Power Cuts

Beyond Kyiv, civilian casualties were also reported in five other regions: Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Kherson, with a train depot in Vinnytsia region also hit. Russian drone attacks have caused massive power cuts, leaving more than 100,000 homes without electricity after strikes on energy sites. Ukrainian officials stated that Russia launched 598 drones and 31 missiles across Ukraine overnight between 27 and 28 August.

Miroslav Jenča, Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, addressing an emergency session of the UN Security Council, highlighted that these strikes represent "the latest in the brutal escalation of country-wide aerial attacks". The UN human rights office, OHCHR, recorded that July set "a new, tragic record for monthly casualties" since May 2022, with 286 killed and 1,388 injured.

Diplomatic Momentum at Risk

The escalating violence has grave implications for peace efforts. Mr. Jenča warned that the "diplomatic momentum is at risk of rapidly fading" if the focus on ending violence and engaging in genuine peace talks is not maintained. He stressed that the mounting death toll and devastation "run counter to the significant efforts over the past few months to give diplomacy a chance".

Ukraine's President Zelenskyy has rejected proposals for a buffer zone to end the war, stating that those suggesting such a measure "do not understand the realities of modern warfare". Despite these challenges, the UN has welcomed recent diplomatic efforts, including separate meetings involving the United States President with Vladimir Putin in Alaska, and with the Presidents of the US and Ukraine and European leaders in Washington. Earlier rounds of direct talks between Ukrainian and Russian officials in Istanbul from May to July, along with prisoner exchanges, were also commended. However, analysis suggests that bilateral talks for a Putin-Zelenskyy summit remain "a long way off," despite Geneva, Istanbul, and Budapest being put forward as potential locations.

Ukrainians themselves often feel "sidelined" from key talks, observing developments with a mix of "fatigue and mistrust". The idea of security guarantees for Ukraine is also noted to have "inherent contradictions".

Other Key Developments

In other news, prominent Ukrainian politician Andriy Parubiy was shot dead in Lviv, with President Zelenskyy condemning it as a "terrible murder". European leaders have travelled to Moldova to boost its EU accession plan ahead of a key election, in the face of a "relentless" Russia. Ukraine has also admitted that Russia has entered the industrial province of Dnipropetrovsk, marking the "first attack of such a large scale" in the region. The importance of the 'Donetsk fortress belt' for Ukraine's defences has been underscored, as its loss would signify the fall of a critical bulwark against further Russian advances.

The conflict's impact is also being felt by civilians in Russia, with local authorities reporting casualties in border regions such as Belgorod, Kursk, and Bryansk. A fire reportedly broke out after a Ukrainian drone was shot down near the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant. The UN has expressed concern about the growing impact on Russian civilians.

As winter approaches, the UN is preparing targeted support for 1.7 million people in Ukraine, though more donor funding is urgently needed. The international community, including EU defence ministers, are meeting to discuss further military support for Kyiv.

The UN Secretary-General has renewed an appeal for a full, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire, urging all concerned parties to "urgently de-escalate the situation and to redouble efforts to create conditions for inclusive diplomatic efforts towards a cessation of hostilities and a just peace".