A Ukrainian drone attack killed a mother, father and their 24-month-old daughter in the Russian border region of Belgorod on Saturday, according to Russian authorities, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said United States negotiators had asked during this week’s Abu Dhabi talks whether Ukraine would withdraw troops from the eastern Donbas region in exchange for NATO membership.
Russia’s Ministry of Defence claimed the army intercepted 29 Ukrainian drones overnight, including several over the Moscow region. Russian authorities said the attack in Proletarsky, about 20km from Ukraine’s border, killed the family at their home. In turn, Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 96 drones from Friday evening, of which 81 were shot down or electronically suppressed as of early Saturday. It said hits occurred at eight locations and falling debris at two others, while a local power supplier reported outages in parts of northeastern Sumy.
In comments to reporters that were under embargo until Saturday, Zelenskyy said US negotiators had asked during this week’s Abu Dhabi talks whether Ukraine would withdraw its troops from its eastern region of Donbas in exchange for joining NATO. He said the question had been raised for the first time. Donbas comprises Donetsk and Luhansk, two eastern Ukrainian regions partly occupied by Russia. Moscow demands a Ukrainian withdrawal from areas Kyiv still controls while opposing Ukraine joining NATO. Zelenskyy maintained that Ukraine would not withdraw its troops but could put the issue to a referendum if Kyiv received firm security guarantees, funding for its armed forces and money for reconstruction. “NATO is back on the agenda,” he said. He also said he would not amend Ukraine’s constitution to make it neutral, arguing the move would not guarantee lasting security.
Ukraine has been defending itself, with Western assistance, against a full-scale Russian invasion since February 2022. This past week brought a resumption of US-mediated direct talks between the Russians and Ukrainians, which raised hopes of an early end to the war. However, apart from renewed prisoner exchanges, there appears to have been little progress. European representatives are set to take part in the next round of talks. Zelenskyy said the European Union and NATO are Europe’s “only real security” and that Moscow’s bid to review the continent’s security was “dangerous because … it is precisely things like this that lead to wars or escalations”.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The civilian death toll in Russian border regions underscores the war’s ongoing human cost, even as diplomatic channels reopen.
- Zelenskyy’s revelation suggests Washington is exploring creative endgame scenarios, though any NATO-for-territory trade would be a dramatic shift in policy and is far from certain.
- The next round of talks, with European representatives, will test whether the parties can move beyond tactical exchanges toward a broader settlement.
Background
The war began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. US-mediated direct talks between the Russians and Ukrainians resumed this past week in Abu Dhabi, raising hopes but producing little beyond renewed prisoner exchanges. Moscow opposes Ukraine joining NATO, while Kyiv has sought membership for years.
Key Perspectives
Russia: says a Ukrainian drone killed a family of three in Belgorod; its Ministry of Defence claimed it intercepted 29 Ukrainian drones overnight.
Ukraine: its air force reported Russia launched 96 drones, of which 81 were downed, with hits at eight locations and debris at two others.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy: said US negotiators asked whether Ukraine would withdraw from Donbas in exchange for NATO membership, but no concrete offer exists; Ukraine would not withdraw but could hold a referendum if given security guarantees, funding, and reconstruction money.
Moscow: as reported, opposes Ukraine joining NATO and demands a withdrawal from areas Kyiv still controls.
What to Watch
- Whether the next round of talks, with European participation, produces any shift in Russia’s stated demands or Ukraine’s negotiating position.
- Zelenskyy’s mention of a potential referendum: if floated more formally, it could become a key domestic and diplomatic flashpoint.
- Continued drone and missile strikes on both sides; civilian casualties could complicate the diplomatic atmosphere.