Russia and Ukraine Trade Deadly Attacks Ahead of US Talks

At least 4 killed as tensions escalate before US-Ukraine negotiations in Miami

Mar. 21, 2026 at 9:39pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Russia and Ukraine traded deadly attacks on Saturday, with a drone strike killing a man and a woman in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, and Ukrainian shelling killing two women in Russia's Belgorod region. The attacks came ahead of US-Ukraine talks in Miami focused on efforts to end Russia's invasion, which has entered its second year.

Why it matters

The continued violence and lack of progress in negotiations highlight the ongoing challenges in resolving the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which has had devastating humanitarian and geopolitical consequences. The talks in Miami represent a renewed diplomatic push to find a path forward, even as the war has been overshadowed by the recent conflict between Israel and Iran.

The details

In the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, a Russian drone strike hit a house, killing a man and a woman and wounding six people, including two children. In Russia's Belgorod region, two women were killed and another was wounded by Ukrainian shelling. The attacks came ahead of US-Ukraine talks in Miami, where US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said the discussions, which included Jared Kushner, were 'constructive' and part of ongoing mediation efforts to 'move closer to a comprehensive peace agreement'.

  • The attacks occurred on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
  • The US-Ukraine talks in Miami were held on the same day as the attacks.

The players

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

The President of Ukraine, who said he had sent a delegation to the US in a bid to move forward suspended US-brokered talks on ending Russia's invasion.

Dmitry Peskov

The Kremlin spokesman, who said a new round of US-mediated negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv will likely take place soon.

Steve Witkoff

The US Special Envoy, who said the Miami talks were 'constructive' and part of ongoing mediation efforts.

Jared Kushner

The son-in-law of former US President Donald Trump, who participated in the Miami talks.

Vyacheslav Gladkov

The governor of Russia's Belgorod region, where two women were killed and another wounded by Ukrainian shelling.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The main goal of the meeting was to ensure that the trilateral talks resume and that Washington continues to allow other NATO countries to purchase American weapons to send to Ukraine.”

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine

“A new round of US-mediated negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv will likely take place soon.”

— Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman

“The meetings, which included US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, were 'part of ongoing mediation efforts, with discussions focused on narrowing and resolving remaining items to move closer to a comprehensive peace agreement'.”

— Steve Witkoff, US Special Envoy

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The continued violence and lack of progress in negotiations highlight the ongoing challenges in resolving the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which has had devastating humanitarian and geopolitical consequences. The talks in Miami represent a renewed diplomatic push to find a path forward, even as the war has been overshadowed by the recent conflict between Israel and Iran.