US envoys prepare for Kyiv peace mission as drone strikes continue
US envoys Witkoff and Kushner prepare to visit Kyiv for peace talks as drone attacks persist and Iranian retaliation risks emerge.
Diplomatic momentum builds as US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner prepare for their initial visit to Kyiv to reignite peace talks following closed-door discussions between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions expand beyond the front lines. Tehran reportedly considered launching retaliatory strikes against a Ukrainian seaport after an attack on an Iranian vessel in the Caspian Sea.
On the ground, aerial warfare continues across Ukraine. Ukrainian air defense forces intercepted 65 out of 80 Russian drones launched overnight, which included various attack and decoy models. Additionally, local officials in Kherson reported that a Russian drone strike targeted a delivery truck, killing the driver.
Sources: Digi24, TV8, Ziarul de Gardă
Sources
- TV8 — /LIVE TEXT/ Război în Ucraina, ziua 1616: Atac de 10 ore la Moscova și sancțiuni dure. Zelenski și Trump au negociat cu ușile închise
- Ziarul de Gardă — LIVE TEXT/ Rusia a atacat Ucraina cu 80 de drone, iar 65 au fost doborâte. Război în Ucraina, ziua 1617
- Digi24 — Iranul a luat în calcul să atace unul dintre porturile ucrainene drept răzbunare pentru distrugerea navei din Marea Caspică
Earlier coverage
- Aug 1, 2026, 11:30 PM UTCPentagon relinquishes NATO Ukraine coordination role amid escalating Black Sea and Kyiv strikes
- Aug 1, 2026, 05:30 PM UTCPentagon steps back from NATO Ukraine aid group as Ukrainian drones sink Russian ship
- Aug 1, 2026, 04:30 PM UTCAt least nine killed in Russian ballistic missile strike on Kyiv
- Aug 1, 2026, 11:00 AM UTCRussian strikes hit Kyiv as Ukraine targets Volgograd logistics facility
- Jul 31, 2026, 11:30 PM UTCUkraine thwarts plot against military commander amid rising regional strikes
- Jul 31, 2026, 12:00 PM UTCUS strikes Iranian targets as aerial engagements escalate in Eastern Europe
- Jul 31, 2026, 07:30 AM UTCUkrainian drones strike Russian logistics facility as US targets Iranian sites
- Jul 31, 2026, 05:30 AM UTCPoland confirms Russian missile entry as US launches strikes on Iranian targets
- Jul 31, 2026, 12:30 AM UTCNATO eastern flank on high alert as Russian missile enters Poland
- Jul 30, 2026, 11:30 PM UTCRomanian jets intercept drones as regional leaders visit Washington