MOSCOW/KYIV - Russian armed forces are launching systematic strikes against Ukraine's military infrastructure in Kyiv and other cities, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday.

The spokesperson said Russia remains open to peace talks with Ukraine, but the conflict will continue if Ukraine continues to reject "genuine negotiations and serious decisions" aimed at achieving a peaceful settlement.

He added that negotiations on the Ukraine conflict remain on hold, although Moscow is maintaining contact with Washington through existing channels.

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Russia's Foreign Ministry said on May 25 that the Russian armed forces were launching "consistent, systematic strikes" on Ukrainian military-industrial facilities in Kiev following the drone attack on a college building in Starobelsk in the Luhansk region.

Ukraine denied responsibility for the attack, saying its forces strike only military facilities and objects used for military purposes in accordance with international humanitarian law. 

Also on Tuesday, Ukraine's Energy Ministry said a Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure overnight left residents in eight regions without electricity.

In Kyiv, an energy company's production facilities and infrastructure were damaged. Two employees were injured and hospitalized, according to a statement from the ministry.

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The strikes also targeted Ukraine's oil and gas facilities, causing damage, the statement said.

Russia launched 656 drones and 73 missiles at Ukraine overnight in the latest wave of attacks, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 602 drones and 40 missiles.

At least 16 people were killed, including five in Kyiv, and more than 100 others were injured in the strikes, according to the preliminary reports from Ukrainian authorities.