Russia ramps up attacks on Kyiv infrastructure as U.S. makes fresh push for peace talks

Russia's Defense Ministry has pledged to further intensify military attacks on Kyiv and other major Ukrainian cities, following strikes on a second major bridge in Ukraine's capital over the weekend.

The latest threat comes as Russian forces have ramped up attacks on Kyiv in recent weeks, targeting data centers, telecommunications facilities and energy infrastructure as it seeks to disrupt daily life in the capital and force power cuts ahead of winter.

A Russian drone struck Kyiv's key Northern Bridge over the Dnipro River on Saturday, damaging the road surface and forcing traffic to be suspended. Two people were injured in the attack, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko.

The attack came shortly after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv to pledge 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) in military aid to Ukraine, and after Russian drones repeatedly targeted Kyiv's Southern Bridge earlier in the week.

In an update posted via Telegram on Sunday, Russia's Defense Ministry confirmed the attack on the Northern Bridge, saying the bridge "supports the transfer of troops and the logistics of military cargo."

The ministry also responded to comments from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In an interview with Reuters, Zelenskyy said in comments published Saturday that Ukraine would double down on attacking Russian oil refineries in retaliation to a new policy of airstrikes designed to force people to abandon Kyiv and other cities. Ukraine's president said Russian civilians would not be targeted in these strikes.

"In response to these threats, the Russian Defence Ministry recalls that the massive strikes are launched against Kiev and other Ukrainian regions specifically in retaliation for the actions of the Kiev regime's leader," Russia's Defense Ministry said Sunday via Telegram, according to a Google translation.

Zelenskyy "bears full personal and political responsibility" for these intensified strikes, the ministry said.

Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than four-and-a-half years ago, with fighting along the frontline virtually deadlocked as the conflict continues into a fifth winter.

Zelenskyy said via social media on Sunday that the Trump administration has proposed a trilateral meeting at the technical level by the end of October, adding that Ukraine is open to the United Arab Emirates or another country proposed by the American side hosting the talks.

"I know they will propose this to the Russian side as well, or may have already done so. We will wait for the response. We respond positively to negotiations," Zelenskyy said.

CNBC has contacted a spokesperson for the White House and Russia's Embassy in London and is awaiting a response.

U.S. President Donald Trump has previously urged Zelenskyy to stop targeting Russian oil refineries, saying the attacks are "hurting the world" as fuel supply disruptions continue to prop up U.S. diesel prices.