Russia on Wednesday dismissed any possibility of exchanging occupied Ukrainian territory for Russian-held land, just hours after launching a wave of drone and missile strikes on Kyiv that left one person dead and several injured.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had suggested the idea of swapping Ukrainian-controlled parts of Russia’s Kursk region for Russian-occupied areas in eastern and southern Ukraine in an interview published late Tuesday. However, the Kremlin swiftly rejected the proposal.
“This is impossible,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. “Russia has never and will never discuss the topic of exchanging its territory.”
Peskov vowed that Ukrainian troops occupying positions inside Russia would either be “destroyed” or forced out. Ukrainian forces had briefly crossed into Russian territory last year, seeking to gain leverage for any future peace negotiations.
Missile Strikes Devastate Kyiv
Russia’s rejection of a territorial swap came shortly after a deadly attack on Kyiv, which Zelensky condemned as further proof that Moscow has no interest in ending the war.
“One person has been killed, and at least four others, including a child, have been wounded,” Zelensky said, adding that the strikes damaged apartment buildings, offices, and key infrastructure.
AFP journalists reported hearing multiple explosions across the city, with debris scattered across streets and emergency responders working at several impact sites.
“Putin is not preparing for peace—he continues to kill Ukrainians and destroy cities,” Zelensky wrote on social media. “Only strong measures and pressure on Russia can stop this terror. We need unity and full support from our partners for a just end to this war.”
Russia’s defense ministry later confirmed it had carried out a “group missile strike” targeting Ukrainian military-industrial sites, claiming all intended targets were hit.
Talks and Diplomacy Amid Ongoing Conflict
The latest escalation comes as speculation grows over potential negotiations to end the nearly three-year war. Zelensky is set to meet U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Friday at the Munich Security Conference, where the war in Ukraine is expected to dominate discussions.
Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Keith Kellogg, is scheduled to visit Ukraine next week to present a proposal aimed at halting the conflict. Trump, who has vowed to end the war, is reportedly considering using U.S. aid to pressure Kyiv into making territorial concessions.
Tensions between Washington and Moscow remain high, but a recent prisoner exchange has raised questions about future diplomacy. On Tuesday, Trump welcomed home Marc Fogel, an American imprisoned in Russia since 2021 on drug charges, after a deal brokered by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. Trump described Russia’s role in the exchange as “very nice” and expressed hope it could mark the start of talks to end the war.
Peskov confirmed that Fogel was exchanged for a Russian national held in the U.S., but downplayed the significance of the swap, saying it was unlikely to signal a major diplomatic breakthrough.
Battlefield Challenges for Ukraine
As diplomatic efforts continue, Ukraine faces increasing pressure on the battlefield. Russian forces have been making strategic advances along the front lines, putting Kyiv’s military under strain.
In Kyiv, emergency services deployed 120 rescue workers to assist in three districts affected by the latest strikes. In the northern Chernigiv region, officials reported Russian attacks on critical infrastructure, injuring two people.
Ukraine’s air force claimed to have intercepted six missiles and 71 out of 123 incoming drones, including Iranian-designed Shahed attack drones.
With the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion approaching on February 24, Ukraine remains locked in a grinding war, fighting to hold its ground both militarily and diplomatically.
