Russia, Ukraine strike capitals hours after Witkoff-mediated talks signal

Russia and Ukraine conducted significant reciprocal strikes on their respective capitals, Kyiv and Moscow, hours after diplomatic signals indicated openness to US-mediated negotiations. These attacks, particularly an unprecedented drone barrage on Moscow and ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv, suggest either a lack of genuine commitment to de-escalation or internal opposition to a ceasefire, despite ongoing diplomatic engagements. The scale of these strikes marks a notable escalation in the conflict's pattern of using capital attacks as leverage.