It was not immediately clear if the smoke was the result of a direct hit, which would mark an escalation in Russia's air campaign. Russia has so far avoided targeting government buildings in the city centre.
Stefanishyna was born in Odesa in 1985 and earned a master’s degree in international law in 2008 from the Institute of International Relations at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.
The Donbas has long been the most Russian-leaning region of Ukraine, home to a significant Russian-speaking population. Even a decade ago, many residents expressed strong resentment toward the distant government in Kyiv.
A high-level meeting in Washington on Monday saw European leaders caution against premature optimism over a potential Russia-Ukraine peace deal, even as US President Donald Trump initiated steps for direct talks between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Russia-Ukraine war: Following the attacks, the Russian authorities briefly halted flights at the Sochi Airport. However, the services resumed later on Sunday.
Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russia unleashed a massive aerial offensive overnight, launching 597 threats that included combat drones, decoys, and 26 cruise missiles.
Russia-Ukraine news: The Ukrainian air force reported that 85 drones, including decoys, were launched over the country. Air defense systems managed to shoot down 40 of them, and nine others crashed before hitting any targets.
Zelenskyy said both sides exchanged documents through the Turkish side, and we are preparing a new release of prisoners of the war. Expectations were low for any breakthrough on ending the three-year-old war after a string of stunning attacks over the weekend.
The Ukrainian delegation led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov was in Istanbul for the meeting, Heorhii Tykhyi, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, said in a message posted on the Ukrainian Embassy Whatsapp group.
A passenger train derailed in Russia’s Bryansk region after a railway bridge collapsed late Saturday night, killing at least seven people and injuring nearly 30. Authorities suspect "illegal interference" caused the bridge to fall. The accident occurred in the tense border region near Ukraine.
Russia-Ukraine conflict: Prior to the attack, city mayor Vitalii Klitschko warned Kyiv residents of more than 20 Russian strike drones heading towards Kyiv. As the attack continued, he said drone debris fell on a shopping mall and a residential building in Obolon district of Kyiv.
Describing the call with Trump as “frank and meaningful”, Putin said that Russia was in favour of a “peaceful settlement”.
Putin formally extended an unconditional invitation to Ukraine to resume direct negotiations on May 11. Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had said that Ukraine is closely watching who Russia sends to the upcoming talks in Turkey before deciding its next steps.
The Russian media ran videos which showed a vehicle burning in the courtyard of an apartment building. Notably, the attack comes after the killing of Lt General Igor Kirillov, who died on December 17.
Steve Witkoff is a long-time friend and golf partner of US President Donald Trump. He became the first American diplomat to visit Russia after full-scale war broke out between Moscow and Kyiv. He is also credited for the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
