In a grim escalation of hostilities, Russia and Ukraine exchanged devastating drone strikes overnight, resulting in significant casualties and widespread damage. Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, bore the brunt of a ‘massive’ Russian assault, which claimed at least two lives and left six others injured. The early morning attack on Tuesday targeted residential areas, with at least two high-rise buildings engulfed in flames, disrupting essential services such as electricity and water. Emergency responders worked tirelessly to rescue 18 individuals, including three children, from the wreckage, as search operations continued. Simultaneously, Russian officials reported that a Ukrainian strike in the Rostov region had killed three people, with the death toll rising from initial reports. The Rostov region’s acting governor, Yuri Sliusar, lamented the ‘great grief’ brought by the attack, while Taganrog’s mayor vowed retaliatory measures. The southern Krasnodar region also faced a ‘sustained and massive’ Ukrainian bombardment, injuring ten. Amid the violence, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed cautious optimism about progress in peace talks, highlighting ‘correct elements’ in the revised US peace plan. However, the Kremlin dismissed the amendments as ‘unconstructive,’ casting doubt on the prospects for a swift resolution. The White House, meanwhile, remained hopeful for a negotiated end to the conflict. As the war drags on, the latest strikes underscore the deepening humanitarian crisis and the urgent need for diplomatic breakthroughs.