Russia and Ukraine exchange airstrikes as Brussels talks on reconstruction and security resume

Russia and Ukraine exchanged heavy airstrikes Thursday as talks resumed in Brussels on Ukraine's post-war reconstruction and security guarantees, nearly five years after Russia's full-scale invasion began. Ukraine's air defenses intercepted 105 of 128 Russian drones, wounding four people, while Russia reported shooting down 496 Ukrainian drones across 13 regions, including a strike that sparked a fire at an oil refinery. Rescue teams in Komyshuvakha continued searching for over 30 people trapped after a Monday strike that killed 42. Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov met with officials from the US, UK, France, Germany, EU, NATO, World Bank, and BlackRock to discuss 2027 funding and security guarantees. Talks precede upcoming Russia-Ukraine-US negotiations in Abu Dhabi, with President Zelenskyy saying Ukraine is ready to take necessary steps to end the war.