Russian Strikes Kill Two in Ukraine as Lavrov Dismisses German Talks at UN
Russian overnight strikes killed two in Ukraine as Sergey Lavrov dismissed German calls to ease tensions following their UN meeting.
Russian overnight strikes across Ukraine killed at least two people, officials reported on Sunday, just hours after Moscow's top diplomat rejected German appeals to reduce escalating tensions with NATO.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met his German counterpart Johann Wadephul on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York — what is believed to be their first direct encounter since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The meeting was held at Wadephul's request.
Afterward, Lavrov was dismissive, saying Wadephul had "simply reiterated his official position condemning Russia." He added: "You can judge for yourself whether that counts as dialogue or not."
A German delegation official said Wadephul expressed openness to improving relations but stressed that any progress would require a genuine willingness from Russia's leadership to end the war.
The exchange came amid souring ties between Berlin and Moscow, following an attempted drone attack last month at Leipzig airport that Germany blamed on the Kremlin.
In Kyiv, emergency services said a man was found dead after a Russian drone struck a non-residential building overnight. Another drone hit a single-story vehicle repair shop, sparking a fire that firefighters battled into the early hours of Sunday.
In Ukraine's southern Odesa region, which surrounds the country's main Black Sea port, multiple strikes overnight killed one person and injured two others, according to the head of the local military administration, Oleh Kiper.
With front-line positions largely static since last year, Moscow has intensified its use of cruise and ballistic missiles, glide bombs, and jet-powered drones in recent months. In turn, Kyiv's long-range drones have targeted Russian oil refineries and businesses.
The vast majority of UN member states have repeatedly condemned Russia's invasion, while the Kremlin describes the war as a "special military operation" aimed at ensuring Russia's security and protecting Russian speakers.