Ukraine Hit by Renewed Russian Missile & Drone Attacks Amid Peace Talks
- Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities faced renewed Russian missile and drone attacks on Tuesday, targeting energy infrastructure, following a brief pause in hostilities.
- According to reports, at least four people have been killed in Russian attacks across Ukraine.
- The renewed strikes follow a temporary cessation of attacks requested by former U.S.
Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities faced renewed Russian missile and drone attacks on , targeting energy infrastructure, following a brief pause in hostilities. The attacks come as international efforts to broker a peace agreement continue, with a new round of trilateral talks scheduled for and in the United Arab Emirates.
According to reports, at least four people have been killed in Russian attacks across Ukraine. Timur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, stated that Kyiv was deliberately targeted “in severe cold weather,” with two people reported injured in the capital. The attacks included a record number of drones, with Kyiv reporting Russia fired 479 drones overnight.
The renewed strikes follow a temporary cessation of attacks requested by former U.S. President Donald Trump prior to a previous round of peace talks in Abu Dhabi last month. According to reports, President Vladimir Putin agreed to the request, pausing attacks on Kyiv and other cities for a week due to the harsh winter conditions.
Cities beyond Kyiv, including Kharkiv, Odesa, and Dnipro, were also reportedly hit, as temperatures plummeted below -20 degrees Celsius. Ihor Terekhov, the mayor of Kharkiv, stated via Telegram that the attacks had left over 820 buildings, including residential complexes, without heating.
Ukraine’s largest private energy company, DTEK, reported significant damage to its thermal power plants as a result of the attacks. Ukrainian air defense and monitoring channels on Telegram indicated that energy facilities in central and western Ukraine were also targeted.
The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed to have launched a “massive strike” targeting Ukraine’s military-industrial complex, stating that the attacks successfully destroyed targeted facilities. The ministry further asserted that the strikes targeted energy infrastructure supporting the military complex.
Ukrainian Energy Minister Oleksiy Kuleba posted on social media that over 1,100 homes had lost heating as a result of the attacks on Kyiv, adding that Russia was deliberately targeting “homes, heating, and the basic necessities of life for civilians” across the country.
The attacks are occurring as trilateral negotiations involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States are set to resume in Abu Dhabi. These talks follow previous discussions held in the UAE last month, aimed at reaching a peace agreement. The resumption of hostilities raises concerns about the prospects for a negotiated settlement.
Recent reports suggest that new Russian missiles are “confusing” Ukrainian defenses. The escalation in drone usage also highlights a shifting dynamic in the conflict, placing increased strain on Ukraine’s air defense capabilities. The attacks also come amid renewed pressure from Kyiv’s allies on Moscow, though the specific nature of that pressure was not detailed in available reports.
The attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure are particularly concerning given the already challenging winter conditions. The damage to power plants and heating systems leaves civilians vulnerable to the extreme cold, exacerbating the humanitarian situation. The strikes also raise concerns about the potential for further disruptions to essential services.
The situation remains fluid, and the outcome of the upcoming negotiations in Abu Dhabi is uncertain. The renewed Russian attacks underscore the ongoing challenges to achieving a lasting peace in Ukraine and the continued vulnerability of the civilian population.