Kyiv: Russia carried out a heavy wave of drone and missile attacks across Ukraine early on Friday, just hours before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was due to hold a key meeting with US President Donald Trump aimed at exploring paths toward peace.
Ukrainian authorities said hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles were launched overnight, with Kyiv and several other regions coming under sustained attack. Air raid sirens sounded for hours as air defence systems worked to intercept incoming threats, lighting up the night sky over the capital.
At least one person was killed in Kyiv and more than twenty people were injured, including children, according to updated local reports. Several residential buildings were damaged, and fires broke out in different parts of the city. Emergency workers were seen clearing debris and helping residents forced to flee their homes.
The attacks also hit energy infrastructure, worsening power and heating outages at a time when winter temperatures have tightened their grip on the country. Officials said thousands of households were left without electricity and heat, adding to civilian suffering during the cold season.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the timing of the strikes showed that Russia was not interested in peace and was instead trying to pressure Ukraine and its partners ahead of diplomatic talks. He renewed calls on the United States and European countries to strengthen support for Ukraine and increase pressure on Moscow.
The strikes came just before a planned meeting between Zelenskiy and Donald Trump, who returned to office earlier this year. The talks are expected to focus on possible steps to end the nearly four year long war, including security guarantees for Ukraine and broader international involvement.
In neighboring Poland, the scale of the attack prompted heightened security measures. Polish authorities said military aircraft were scrambled as a precaution, though there was no violation of Polish airspace.
Russia did not immediately comment on the latest strikes. Moscow has repeatedly said its attacks target military and energy facilities, while Ukraine says civilians and essential services are being deliberately hit.
Despite renewed diplomatic efforts, the overnight assault underlined how fragile the situation remains, with violence continuing even as leaders prepare for talks that could shape the next phase of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.