Rattled Russia pounds Ukraine

The overnight attack, which involved about 500 drones and 40 missiles and knocked out power and heat in parts of the capital, came as Russia's response to the ongoing peace efforts brokered by Washington

- REUTERS

Russia attacked Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine with hundreds of missiles and drones Saturday, ahead of what President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said would be a crucial meeting with US President Donald Trump to work out a deal to end nearly four years of war.

Before the strikes, the Ukrainian leader had said Sunday's talks in Florida would focus on the territory to be controlled by each side once fighting ends in Europe's deadliest conflict since World War Two, started by Russia's 2022 invasion of its smaller neighbour.

The attack continued throughout the morning, and a nearly 10-hour air raid alert for the capital only ended at 11:20 local time (0920 GMT). Authorities said one person was killed by the attack in the Kyiv region, while at least 19 people were wounded in the capital itself, including two children.

He said rescuers were still searching for a person trapped under the rubble in one of the damaged residential buildings.

Russia made no immediate comment on the attacks.

THOUSANDS OF HOMES WITHOUT HEAT