Russia and Ukraine Exchange Airstrikes Amid Ongoing Reconstruction Talks

Russia and Ukraine conducted a series of damaging airstrikes on Thursday while international representatives gathered in Brussels. The meetings, hosted at NATO headquarters, are focused on planning for Ukraine's post-war reconstruction, funding through 2027, and establishing security guarantees.

In southern Ukraine, emergency teams are searching for survivors after a Russian guided bomb strike on a school and shelter in the Zaporizhzhia region. Police reported that 42 bodies have been recovered from the site so far.

Ukraine launched a large-scale drone offensive in response, with the Russian defense ministry claiming to have intercepted nearly 500 drones across multiple regions. The strikes caused damage to industrial sites, including an oil refinery in the Ryazan region, and wounded several civilians on both sides of the conflict.

Diplomatic momentum is building as negotiators prepare for upcoming talks in Abu Dhabi intended to end the war. Ukrainian leadership has expressed a commitment to advancing these negotiations rapidly, while U.S. representatives emphasized the importance of creating a lasting security framework.