KYIV, Ukraine (FN) — Russia launched one of its largest attacks on Kyiv in months early Saturday, killing at least one person and injuring dozens more, just a day before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump for high‑stakes peace talks aimed at ending nearly four years of war.
Explosions shook the capital for hours as Russia fired nearly 500 drones and 40 missiles, including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, at residential neighborhoods and energy infrastructure, Ukrainian officials said. Fires broke out across multiple districts, and rescue workers searched for people believed to be trapped under rubble.
Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said at least one woman was killed in the wider Kyiv region and more than 20 people were injured, including children, after 10 residential buildings were struck. Kyiv’s mayor reported widespread damage to apartment blocks, schools, and heating systems, leaving parts of the city without power or heat as winter temperatures hovered near freezing.
Zelensky said the assault was Russia’s “answer” to ongoing peace efforts and accused Moscow of trying to undermine negotiations before they begin. “Security must be ensured by the world’s strongest powers,” he said, noting that he would discuss long‑term guarantees with Trump and several European leaders in the coming days.
The Ukrainian leader is expected to travel to Florida on Sunday for what both sides have described as a pivotal meeting. Zelensky has said a 20‑point peace plan developed with U.S. mediators is “90% ready,” though major issues — including territorial control and future security arrangements — remain unresolved.
Saturday’s attack also knocked out heat and electricity to large parts of the capital, with officials saying a third of Kyiv was left without heating capacity after strikes on energy facilities.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said it used “long‑range precision‑guided weapons from land, air and sea,” claiming the targets were military‑related, though Ukrainian officials said the overwhelming majority of strikes hit civilian areas.
The assault underscores the fragile backdrop for the Trump‑Zelensky talks, which U.S. officials hope will move both sides closer to a negotiated settlement. But with Russia escalating attacks and Ukraine pushing for stronger international guarantees, expectations for a breakthrough remain uncertain.
