10 Killed as Russia and Ukraine Trade Strikes While U.S. Proposes Gulf Talks
At least 10 people were killed on September 26, 2026, in Russian and Ukrainian strikes across Ukraine, southern Russia and Russian-occupied territory. Russian attacks killed four people in Ukraine. Ukrainian strikes killed six people in Russia and in the Russian-occupied part of Ukraine. Al Jazeera
In Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region, two women died under the rubble of their home after an overnight Russian attack with drones and missiles. In Sumy, a city in northeastern Ukraine, a separate Russian attack killed two people.
Ukrainian drones hit Russia's Krasnodar region, killing three people, wounding two and starting fires at two industrial sites. Overnight into September 26, Ukrainian strikes also killed three people in the Russian-occupied part of Zaporizhzhia region. Zaporizhzhia is split by the front line, with each side holding part of it. Krasnodar lies away from the fighting and holds oil-refining, transport and defense-factory sites that help keep forces supplied.
Russian forces hit a cargo vessel carrying military supplies near Ukraine's Black Sea port of Odesa and hit a supply hub in Odesa. Russian drones also hit several districts of Kyiv, Ukraine's capital, overnight into Saturday, injuring four people and damaging homes and office buildings, according to emergency services. AP
On September 25, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the United States had proposed a meeting of Russian, Ukrainian and U.S. officials in the United Arab Emirates. The U.S. suggested the Emirates as a possible place for fresh ceasefire talks, or talks on stopping the fighting. The date is still awaited from the United States.
The broader context here is that fighting and diplomacy are running at the same time, not one after the other. Both sides are expanding long-range strikes on supply routes. Air defenses are systems that shoot down incoming weapons. Firing drones and missiles together can overwhelm them, like throwing many balls at one catcher at once. Strikes on shipping near Odesa and factories in Krasnodar aim to slow the movement of fuel, weapons and goods.
In my view, the idea of a three-sided meeting in the Gulf would test two problems that blocked past ceasefire efforts. The first is safety in the Black Sea, where civilian ships, military cargoes and ports now mix. The second is whether frontline fighting can be frozen without agreement on checks, separating forces and limiting long-range attacks. A proposal is not an agreement. The date, who would attend and what would be discussed are still undefined.
Looking at what this means for the near term, expect more cross-border strikes meant to build leverage before any talks. The details to watch are how fast air-defense stocks are used, damage to ports and energy flows, and whether Washington sets a firm date and clear task for the Emirates meeting.
