Russian Drone Strike Hits Ukraine Passenger Train Amid U.S.‑Brokered Peace Talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russian attack drones struck a civilian passenger train in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region on Tuesday, killing at least five people and injuring two, in what he called an 'act of terrorism' with no military justification. Ukrainian officials say three drones were used against the train, which was carrying more than 200 people; one drone hit a carriage with 18 passengers, and one person remains missing as war‑crime prosecutors document the scene. The strike came just after trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi between Russia, Ukraine and the United States, where Trump envoy Steve Witkoff described negotiations on ending the nearly four‑year war as 'very constructive' and said follow‑up meetings are planned this week. Even as talks continue, Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, leaving thousands in Kyiv without heat and power during winter and forcing crews from across the country to assist with repairs. The attack underscores the gap between diplomatic rhetoric and battlefield realities and will likely harden skepticism in Washington and Europe about Moscow’s good faith in any U.S.‑brokered deal.