[UPDATED: Sept. 8, 7:49 am
, Kyiv time. Updated with new details showing Russian drone activity over Kyiv before Moscow’s own stated deadline for the three-day truce.]
Russia’s three-day pause on strikes against Kyiv appeared to unravel before its own stated deadline Monday, as Russian drones were detected over the capital while US-led diplomatic efforts were still underway. The temporary halt had been tied to visits by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow and Kyiv as Washington sought to revive negotiations aimed at ending Russia’s war against Ukraine.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. At 8:45 p.m. Monday, Ukraine’s Air Force warned of a jet-powered Russian drone over Kyiv, while several others were reported approaching the capital – more than three hours before Moscow’s stated 11:59 p.m. deadline. The attacks intensified overnight. A series of strong explosions rang out across Kyiv early Tuesday as Russia launched missile and drone strikes on the capital and surrounding region. The blasts were heard by Kyiv Post reporters across the city at around 3:30 a.m., after authorities declared an air raid alert and warned of a missile attack. Russian drones also struck the Boryspil and Fastiv districts of Kyiv region. Fires broke out at industrial facilities in Boryspil, seven trucks were destroyed, and a logistics complex was struck twice, Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said. Questions over when pause ended Russian state news agency TASS reported that the three-day suspension ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin had expired. However, its precise timing remained disputed. As Kyiv Post reported earlier Monday, Russian accounts said the halt began at midnight between Friday and Saturday, placing its expiration at 11:59 p.m. Monday.
