Russia and Ukraine exchange airstrikes as Brussels talks on reconstruction 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, with a fire reported at an oil refinery in Ryazan. Rescue teams in Komyshuvakha continued searching for over 30 people trapped after a Monday strike, with 42 bodies recovered so far. The Brussels talks, involving U.S., UK, French, German, EU, and NATO officials, focus on reconstruction, 2027 funding, and security guarantees. They precede planned Russia-Ukraine-U.S. negotiations in Abu Dhabi, following a 90-minute call between President Zelenskyy and U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.