Russian strikes kill at least 3 in Ukraine ahead of expected U.S. peace talks

Russian attacks overnight killed at least three people in Ukraine, local officials said Friday, after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said U.S. envoys are expected to visit Kyiv within the coming days as part of renewed diplomatic efforts to end the war. The air war between Russia and Ukraine has intensified as the conflict stretches into its fifth year following Moscow’s invasion of its neighbour. Russian forces have relentlessly struck civilian areas. 2:00 Ukraine’s 1st day of school met by more Russian strikes Story continues below advertisement Previously, these attacks occurred mostly at night — but now they are happening during the day as well. The front line in eastern and southern Ukraine remains largely deadlocked.US envoys expected in KyivThough U.S. efforts to negotiate a settlement have yet to produce a path to peace, in his nightly address Thursday Zelenskyy said that preliminary dates have been set for meetings in both Moscow and Kyiv. Ukraine’s negotiating team is in near-constant contact with the U.S. side and preparing for talks, he said.“They confirmed they will have a meeting in Moscow and another one in Kyiv. We expect the latter to take place in the coming days. ...