URGENT UPDATE: Russia has launched a massive missile and drone attack on Ukraine, deploying 653 drones and 51 missiles overnight. This assault coincides with ongoing diplomatic talks between U.S. and Ukrainian officials aimed at resolving the nearly four-year-long conflict.
As air raid alerts sounded throughout the country, Ukrainian forces successfully shot down 585 drones and 30 missiles, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. Despite these efforts, the attacks resulted in significant damage, with 29 locations struck and at least eight people wounded, including three in the Kyiv region, as reported by Ukrainian Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko.
The assault was particularly focused on power stations and energy infrastructure, as noted by Ukraine’s national energy operator, Ukrenergo, which described the bombardment as a “massive missile-drone attack.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that energy facilities were primary targets, highlighting that a drone strike had “burned down” the train station in Fastiv, located in the Kyiv region.
In a retaliatory move, Russian Telegram news channel Astra reported that Ukraine struck the Ryazan Oil Refinery, although this claim remains unverified. Ryazan’s regional Governor Pavel Malkov confirmed damage to a residential building from a drone attack, but did not specify details about the refinery.
This latest barrage comes as Kyiv and its Western allies accuse Russia of attempting to cripple Ukraine’s power grid, aiming to leave civilians without heat, light, or running water as winter approaches. Officials describe this tactic as “weaponizing” the cold, with implications that could extend for a fourth consecutive winter.
The escalation in hostilities coincides with the third day of talks among U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump‘s advisers, and Ukrainian negotiators. Following Friday’s discussions in Florida, a cautious assessment emerged, indicating that any substantial progress toward a peace agreement hinges on Russia’s willingness to commit to long-term peace.
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, along with Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and Ukrainian negotiators Rustem Umerov and Andriy Hnatov, noted the need for serious commitment from Russia for any peace framework to be viable.
As the situation develops, both sides remain on high alert. The international community watches closely as the ongoing conflict continues to unfold, with the human cost rising daily.
