Russian President Putin Accused of Child Deaths as Envoy Promotes Kremlin Message in US, Says Latvian Foreign Minister

Russian Missile Attack on Kyiv Claims Lives as Kremlin Envoy Talks Peace in Washington

Latvia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braze, issued a scathing condemnation of Russia following a deadly overnight missile attack on Kyiv that killed three people and injured 32 others, including seven children, while a high-ranking Russian envoy was simultaneously in Washington discussing potential peace negotiations.

“Killed, injured children, destroyed hospitals, apartments. It’s targeted and intentional,” Braze wrote on the social platform X. “A delusional Russian in D.C. is spewing Kremlin’s propaganda, while his butcher master continues murdering children.”

The attack, which occurred on October 26, struck residential areas and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine’s capital, causing widespread destruction. Ukrainian emergency services worked through the night to rescue people from damaged buildings and provide medical assistance to the wounded.

The Latvian foreign minister emphasized that Ukraine needs continued weapons supplies and international support, while Russia should face further isolation and economic pressure. Latvia, a Baltic NATO member that shares a border with Russia, has been one of Ukraine’s strongest advocates since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

The timing of the attack has drawn particular outrage as it coincided with the Washington visit of Kirill Dmitriev, Vladimir Putin’s special envoy for investment and economic cooperation. Dmitriev made headlines by claiming that the United States, Ukraine, and Russia were nearing a diplomatic settlement that could potentially end the conflict.

Diplomatic sources, however, have expressed skepticism about Dmitriev’s assertions. The Biden administration has maintained that any peace negotiations must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, conditions that Russia has consistently rejected.

The missile strike on Kyiv represents the latest in a series of escalating attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure as winter approaches. Military analysts suggest Russia is attempting to weaken Ukrainian morale and overburden the country’s already strained energy systems before cold weather sets in.

In the northeastern Sumy region, Russian forces also shelled a truck carrying food supplies, injuring the driver, according to regional authorities. These attacks on civilian targets and supply lines have become a hallmark of Russian military tactics throughout the conflict.

International human rights organizations have documented extensive evidence of war crimes committed by Russian forces in Ukraine, including deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure, hospitals, and residential areas. The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin in March 2023 on charges related to the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children.

The latest violence comes as Ukraine continues to press its Western allies for advanced air defense systems and longer-range weapons to protect its cities and enable more effective counteroffensive operations. Several European countries recently announced new military aid packages, though delays in U.S. assistance earlier this year created significant challenges for Ukrainian forces.

Russia’s diplomatic offensive, exemplified by Dmitriev’s visit to Washington, appears aimed at exploiting potential war fatigue among Ukraine’s Western supporters. The Kremlin has increasingly sought to portray itself as open to negotiations while continuing its military campaign.

As winter approaches, humanitarian organizations warn of a potential crisis if Russia continues targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Last winter saw millions of Ukrainians enduring freezing temperatures with limited access to heating, electricity, and water due to Russian missile strikes.

The stark contrast between Russia’s diplomatic overtures in Washington and its missile attacks on Ukrainian civilians underscores the challenges facing any potential peace process. As Braze’s comments suggest, the gap between Russia’s words and actions continues to be a fundamental obstacle to meaningful negotiations.