Ukraine's battlefield gains strengthen Kyiv's hand in Abu Dhabi peace talks, Zelenskyy says

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said battlefield successes are strengthening Kyiv's negotiating position ahead of US-led trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. He cited heavy Russian losses and effective long-range strikes as bolstering Ukraine's leverage. Data leaked from Russia's state statistics agency shows over 400,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in nearly five years of fighting, according to information shared with the Guardian. US officials believe both sides may compromise on territory, though a senior Ukrainian official denied any such concessions would be considered. European powers will send officials to the talks, but Russia opposes their participation. Russian forces struck four electrical substations and a food warehouse in Odesa, while Ukraine attacked a major oil refinery and a rocket propellant plant near St. Petersburg.