Russia and Ukraine exchange strikes a day before U.S.-brokered talks are scheduled to begin

Russia attacked Ukraine’s power grid while Ukrainian forces struck a major Russian oil refinery, just before U.S.-brokered talks were due to begin. The strikes underline how fighting continues as diplomats try to find a way to end the war, with Russia and Ukraine still far apart on their demands.

The three-day delegations from the United States, Russia and Ukraine were scheduled to meet in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday for two days of discussions, the first such round since February. Topics include security guarantees, preventing renewed conflict, Ukraine’s postwar economy and humanitarian aid. European officials are expected to coordinate separately with Ukraine, though Moscow says they will not take part directly; earlier talks in Geneva produced no significant progress.