Russia and Ukraine Trade Strikes Ahead of Abu Dhabi Talks

Russia and Ukraine exchanged heavy attacks on Monday ahead of new negotiations in Abu Dhabi, with Russia striking Ukrainian energy infrastructure and Ukraine targeting a major Russian oil refinery. Russian attacks killed three people in the Odesa region and caused power outages lasting up to 16 hours daily, according to Ukrainian officials. Ukraine's air defense said it intercepted 276 of 317 Russian drones. Ukraine set fire to a major refinery near St. Petersburg and struck a weapons factory producing Iskander missiles. The talks on Tuesday and Wednesday mark the first since February, mediated by the US. President Zelenskyy agreed with EU Commission President von der Leyen on an emergency mechanism for rapid financial aid, while Moscow rejected Kyiv's ceasefire offer on energy strikes.