A significant Russian drone offensive struck Kyiv and other major Ukrainian cities overnight, resulting in at least seven fatalities.

This assault precedes upcoming indirect peace talks in Saudi Arabia, mediated by the U.S., where American representatives will meet with each delegation separately.

According to Ukraine’s air force, Russia launched 147 drones in Sunday’s attack, with 97 intercepted and 25 failing to reach their intended targets.

The attack claimed the lives of three individuals in Kyiv, including a 5-year-old child, and left at least 10 others injured.

Kyiv residents, surveying the damage to their homes and neighborhoods on Sunday morning, expressed skepticism about the impending ceasefire talks, citing the destroyed homes as evidence of Russia’s true intentions.

Dmytro Zapadnya, 37, residing in a damaged multistory building on Kyiv’s left bank, voiced his lack of confidence in Russia adhering to any ceasefire agreement.

“There is no point in signing anything (with Russians), because it will not be worth the cost of paper where you put this signature. Well, the only thing that is not very pleasant is that now the United States seems to have little understanding of our situation,” he said.

stated that such attacks are a daily reality for Ukraine.

“This week alone, more than 1,580 guided aerial bombs, almost 1,100 strike drones and 15 missiles of various types were used against our people,” he said. “New solutions are needed, with new pressure on Moscow to stop both these strikes and this war.”

Ukrainian officials are scheduled to meet with U.S. representatives on Monday, the day before the negotiations in .

The Associated Press contributed to this report

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