KYIV, Ukraine – Russia attacked Kyiv and different elements of Ukraine with a whole bunch of missiles and drones on Saturday, December 27, forward of what President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated can be a vital assembly with US President Donald Trump to work out a deal to finish practically 4 years of warfare.
Zelenskyy forged the huge in a single day assault, which he stated concerned about 500 drones and 40 missiles and knocked out energy and warmth in elements of the capital, as Russia’s response to the ongoing peace efforts brokered by Washington.
Earlier than the strikes, the Ukrainian chief had stated Sunday’s talks in Florida would deal with the territory to be managed by all sides as soon as combating ends in Europe’s deadliest battle since World Battle II, began by Russia’s 2022 invasion of its smaller neighbor.
The assault continued all through the morning, and a virtually 10-hour air raid alert for the capital solely ended at 11:20 native time (9:20 am GMT). Authorities stated one individual was killed by the assault within the Kyiv area, whereas not less than 19 folks have been wounded within the capital itself, together with two kids.
“If Russia turns even the Christmas and New 12 months interval right into a time of destroyed houses and burned residences, of ruined energy crops, then this sick exercise can solely be responded to with really robust steps,” Zelenskyy wrote on X, calling on the US and Europe to use extra stress on Moscow.
One other Russian assault continues to be ongoing: since final evening, there have been virtually 500 drones – a lot of “shaheds” – in addition to 40 missiles, together with Kinzhals. The first goal is Kyiv – power amenities and civilian infrastructure. Regrettably, there have been hits,… pic.twitter.com/OxBntAUgla
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 27, 2025
He stated rescuers have been nonetheless trying to find an individual trapped underneath the rubble in one of many broken residential buildings.
Russia made no speedy touch upon the assaults.
1000’s of houses with out warmth
Explosions echoed throughout Kyiv from the early pre-dawn hours on Saturday as Ukraine’s air defence items went into motion. The air power stated Russian drones have been focusing on the capital and areas within the northeast and south.
Authorities stated varied areas in seven completely different districts of Kyiv had sustained harm, and not less than three high-rise condo blocks have been on hearth.
State grid operator Ukrenergo stated power amenities throughout Ukraine, together with in Kyiv and the encircling area have been struck by Russia, and emergency energy cuts had been carried out throughout the capital.
Ukraine’s international minister stated a 3rd of Kyiv was left with out warmth by the strikes as temperatures hovered round 0 levels Celsius (32 levels Fahrenheit) on Saturday morning.
Authorities in Kyiv area, which surrounds the town however doesn’t embrace it, stated 320,000 households had misplaced energy after the assault.
The strikes additionally prompted the momentary closure of Rzeszow and Lublin airports in southeastern Poland, to the west of Ukraine, after the Polish armed forces scrambled fighter jets, the Polish Air Navigation Companies Company posted on X.
Russia had launched strikes on Ukraine’s power infrastructure on Thursday evening and stepped up assaults on the southern area of Odesa, the positioning of Ukraine’s primary seaports, Ukrainian authorities stated.
Territorial management: a diplomatic stumbling block
Territory stays the primary diplomatic stumbling block, although Zelenskyy informed journalists in Kyiv on Friday {that a} 20-point draft doc – the cornerstone of a US push to clinch a peace deal – is 90% full.
He stated a safety assure settlement between Ukraine and the US was virtually prepared – a essential factor after ensures in earlier post-Soviet years proved meaningless.
“Lots could be determined earlier than the New 12 months,” Zelenskyy posted on social media.
Trump stated the USA was the driving power behind the method.
“He doesn’t have something till I approve it,” Trump informed Politico. “So we’ll see what he’s received.”
Earlier than their assembly, Zelenskyy can have a name on Saturday with European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen and different European leaders, a Fee spokesperson stated.
Zelenskyy informed Axios the US had supplied a 15-year deal on safety ensures, topic to renewal, however Kyiv needed an extended settlement with legally binding provisions to protect towards additional Russian aggression.
Trump stated he believed Sunday’s assembly would go nicely. He additionally stated he anticipated to talk with Putin “quickly, as a lot as I would like.”
Nuclear plant, free financial zone additionally at difficulty
Along with territory, a essential level is management of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear energy station, Europe’s largest, which was seized by Russia within the opening weeks of the warfare.
Moscow is demanding that Ukraine withdraw from the areas of the jap area of Donetsk that Russian troops have did not occupy of their drive to safe all the Donbas, which additionally contains the Luhansk area.
Kyiv, nevertheless, desires the combating halted on the present traces.
Beneath a US compromise, a free financial zone can be arrange if Ukrainian troops pull again from elements of the Donetsk area, although particulars have but to be labored out.
Axios quoted Zelenskyy as saying that if he’s not in a position to push the US to again Ukraine’s place on the land difficulty, he was prepared to place the 20-point plan to a referendum – so long as Russia agrees to a 60-day ceasefire permitting Ukraine to arrange for and maintain the vote.
Russian Deputy Overseas Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated Kyiv’s model of the 20-point plan differed from what Russia had been discussing with the US, in response to the Interfax-Russia information company.
However he expressed optimism that issues had reached a “turning level” within the seek for a settlement.
Putin’s international coverage aide, Yuri Ushakov, spoke with members of the Trump administration after Moscow acquired US proposals a few doable peace deal, the Kremlin stated on Friday. It didn’t disclose how Moscow had considered the paperwork. – Rappler.com
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