Russia launched a wave of drone and missile attacks across Ukraine overnight, killing at least one person and injuring 23 others, even as Russian, Ukrainian and US delegations continued rare trilateral talks aimed at ending the nearly three-year-long war.
The strikes targeted major urban centres including Kyiv and Kharkiv, damaging civilian infrastructure, residential areas and critical energy systems during freezing winter conditions. The attacks came as negotiators met in Abu Dhabi for a second consecutive day, underscoring the sharp contrast between diplomatic engagement and continued military escalation.
Civilian Casualties and Infrastructure Damage in Kyiv
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said one person was killed and four others were injured during what he described as a “massive enemy attack” on the Ukrainian capital.
According to Klitschko, three of the injured civilians were hospitalized, while the strikes caused significant damage to the city’s critical infrastructure. As a result, approximately 6,000 buildings were left without heating at a time when temperatures across Ukraine have dropped below zero.
“The situation is difficult,” Klitschko said in a Telegram post, as emergency crews worked through the night to restore essential services.
Kharkiv Strikes Damage Maternity Hospital and Displacement Shelter
In northeastern Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported that 19 people were injured during sustained Russian strikes in the early hours of Saturday.
Among the damaged sites were a maternity hospital and a hostel housing displaced civilians, highlighting the ongoing risks faced by non-combatants far from the front lines. Local authorities said rescue operations were still ongoing, with medical teams treating the wounded and assessing structural damage.
Kharkiv has remained a frequent target since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, despite being located well beyond active front-line combat zones.
Zelensky: Energy Infrastructure Was the Main Target
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia’s overnight attacks were primarily aimed at the country’s energy infrastructure, a tactic Kyiv says Moscow has repeatedly used to weaken civilian morale during winter months.
“The main target of the Russians was the energy infrastructure,” Zelensky said in a statement, warning that continued strikes on heating and power systems posed a serious humanitarian threat as temperatures remain at sub-zero levels.
Ukraine has accused Russia of deliberately weaponizing winter conditions by targeting electricity grids, heating networks and fuel supplies.
Attacks Coincide with Rare Trilateral Peace Talks
The latest escalation came as delegations from Russia, Ukraine and the United States met in Abu Dhabi in the first trilateral negotiations since the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion nearly three years ago.
A source familiar with the talks told media outlets that some progress had been made, though discussions remain fragile and incomplete. The most contentious issue — territory — remains unresolved.
Russia currently occupies around 20% of Ukraine’s territory, including large parts of the eastern Donbas region and areas in southern Ukraine. Moscow has demanded that Kyiv formally hand over significant portions of this land, a demand Ukraine has firmly rejected.
Territory Remains the Core Obstacle to a Deal
Ukrainian officials have repeatedly stated that any peace agreement involving territorial concessions is unacceptable, while the Kremlin continues to frame its demands as non-negotiable.
This fundamental disagreement has stalled previous diplomatic efforts and continues to cast doubt over whether the current talks can deliver a ceasefire, let alone a comprehensive peace agreement.
Analysts note that Russia’s decision to escalate attacks during negotiations reflects a broader pattern in which military pressure is used to strengthen its bargaining position rather than signal de-escalation.
Diplomacy and Escalation Proceed in Parallel
The overnight strikes highlight a recurring feature of the conflict: diplomatic engagement has not translated into reduced violence on the ground.
While talks in Abu Dhabi suggest renewed international efforts to explore an end to the war, the continued targeting of cities, hospitals and civilian infrastructure has raised questions about Russia’s commitment to de-escalation.
For Ukraine, the attacks reinforce its argument that security guarantees and enforcement mechanisms are essential to any future agreement.
As negotiations enter a second day, Ukraine’s cities remain under fire, civilians face mounting humanitarian risks, and the gap between diplomatic dialogue and battlefield reality remains wide.
With territorial demands unresolved and military operations ongoing, the latest attacks underline the difficulty of achieving peace while the war continues to exact a heavy toll on civilian life.
