February 26, 2026
Overview
Ukraine reported a large-scale overnight attack just before talks in Geneva. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia launched roughly 420 drones and 39 missiles, including 11 ballistic missiles, striking critical infrastructure and residential areas across eight regions. He credited international partners for helping intercept most incoming missiles after the rapid delivery of air-defense systems agreed at the recent Ramstein meeting, but said some strikes still caused damage and casualties.
Geneva meetings and next steps
Ukrainian and US delegations met at Geneva’s Hotel des Bergues to align positions ahead of planned trilateral negotiations. Ukraine’s lead negotiator, Rustem Umerov, said he held bilateral talks with the American team—reported to include Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner—to synchronize approaches before broader talks. President Zelenskyy said the Geneva sessions improved readiness for the next trilateral format, which he expects to take place in Abu Dhabi in early March.
Russia’s stance
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told state media that Moscow has no set deadlines for ending the fighting, saying Russia has tasks to complete rather than timelines to meet. Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev attended the Geneva meetings and reportedly spoke with US officials, but he declined to comment publicly on results or any contacts with Ukrainian negotiators.
Recruitment and casualties from abroad
South Africa
Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola confirmed at least two South African citizens died fighting for Russia after being lured by a recruitment scheme that promised jobs or training. Lamola did not name the deceased but said their families had been informed. He visited relatives of 11 returnees who had been recruited with promises of security training; four others had been repatriated earlier, and two remain in Russia with serious injuries.
Kenya
Kenyan police arrested a man in Moyale suspected of trafficking 25 Kenyans to Russia last year, part of an investigation into networks that allegedly persuaded people to travel to Russia and fight in Ukraine. The arrest followed protests by families over disappearances and deaths. Kenya’s government has said more than 1,000 Kenyans were recruited, with dozens still reported at front lines, hospitalized, missing, or confirmed dead. The Russian embassy in Nairobi denied issuing visas specifically for fighters but noted that foreign nationals may volunteer for Russian service.
After Geneva
Delegations departed Geneva after meetings intended to align US and Ukrainian positions ahead of trilateral negotiations. Umerov reiterated efforts to coordinate strategy with American counterparts as preparations continue for upcoming talks.
Context
These negotiations come amid a yearlong, US-led effort to broker an end to the four-year war that followed Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Deep divisions remain between the parties. Ukrainian officials emphasize the conflict’s roots in Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and the broader, long-running disputes that preceded 2022.
(End of updates)