Russian Strikes Kill Six, Including Two Children, as Ukraine Hit by Fresh Wave of Attacks
At least six people, including two children, have been killed and 21 others injured in a series of intense Russian drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian cities, President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Wednesday. The latest barrage has once again underscored Moscow’s determination to sustain its assault despite mounting international pressure.
Zelensky condemned the overnight strikes, saying they showed that Russia had “not come under enough pressure to end its war against Ukraine.” The Ukrainian leader renewed his calls for stronger Western support, particularly in air defense systems and long-range weaponry, as civilians continue to bear the brunt of Russia’s attacks.
Russia Unleashes Night of Violence Across Ukraine
The Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, endured one of its most violent nights in weeks, marking the first large-scale aerial assault since September 28. Drones and missiles rained down on the city and surrounding areas, shattering residential buildings and igniting fires across multiple districts.
According to emergency officials, a couple in their 60s died when a drone struck their apartment in a high-rise building. In the wider Kyiv region, four more civilians were killed — including a woman, a six-month-old baby, and a 12-year-old girl.
Residents described a terrifying night filled with explosions and sirens. “It felt like the whole city was shaking,” said one witness who spent hours in an underground shelter with her family.
Authorities said air defenses intercepted several incoming drones, but debris caused fires and destruction in multiple residential areas. Firefighters worked through the night to contain blazes while rescue teams searched for survivors trapped under rubble.
By dawn, power outages hit parts of the country after Russian strikes targeted energy infrastructure once again, forcing emergency blackouts in several regions.
Zelensky: Russia Losing Interest in Diplomacy
The deadly attacks came just days after President Zelensky returned from Washington, where he met with US President Donald Trump to lobby for long-range Tomahawk missiles. However, his appeal was unsuccessful.
Speaking to reporters, Zelensky suggested that Moscow’s renewed aggression might be linked to the setback in securing additional US military aid.
“As soon as the issue of long-range missiles became a little further away for us — for Ukraine — then almost automatically, Russia became less interested in diplomacy,” he said.
Zelensky’s remarks reflect growing frustration in Kyiv as hopes for progress on the battlefield or through diplomatic channels remain elusive.
Trump Shelves Planned Putin Meeting
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump confirmed that his planned summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest had been indefinitely postponed.
“I don’t want to have a wasted meeting,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “I don’t want to have a waste of time, so we’ll see what happens.”
The meeting, originally scheduled for later this month, was expected to focus on potential ceasefire arrangements in Ukraine. However, growing differences between US and Russian positions — particularly over freezing the current front lines — derailed the talks before they could begin.
The Kremlin has repeatedly rejected calls from Trump and European leaders to halt fighting along existing battle lines, insisting that any ceasefire must include Ukrainian troop withdrawals from occupied regions in the east.
Ukraine Strikes Back with Storm Shadow Missiles
In response to Russia’s escalating attacks, Ukraine launched its own counterstrike across the border, hitting a chemical plant in Russia’s Bryansk region late Tuesday.
According to Ukraine’s military, the operation was carried out using UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles. The strike reportedly penetrated Russian air defenses and hit a facility “producing gunpowder, explosives, and rocket fuel components used in missiles targeting Ukraine.”
Kyiv described the attack as “a successful hit”, saying it would degrade Russia’s ability to manufacture ammunition and long-range weapons used in its ongoing assault.
Moscow has not confirmed the extent of the damage, but Russian state media acknowledged that “explosions were heard” in the Bryansk area, and emergency services were deployed to the site.
Zelensky Visits Sweden Amid Renewed Tensions
Despite the heavy attacks, Zelensky continued his diplomatic push abroad. He was scheduled to visit Swedish defense contractor Saab on Wednesday to discuss further cooperation in producing and supplying air defense systems.
Sweden, a new NATO member, has emerged as an increasingly important partner in Ukraine’s defense network. Saab manufactures key technologies, including the Gripen fighter jet and anti-tank weapons, which Kyiv hopes to integrate into its defense operations.
Energy Infrastructure Once Again in Russia’s Crosshairs
Russia’s overnight offensive also targeted energy facilities across Ukraine, reigniting fears of a harsh winter ahead. Multiple power stations and grid facilities sustained damage, prompting emergency energy cuts in parts of Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Dnipropetrovsk.
Energy company officials confirmed that repair crews were working around the clock but warned that rolling blackouts may persist as temperatures drop.
“Russia continues to weaponize winter and darkness,” said a senior Ukrainian energy official. “They want to break the spirit of our people, but they will not succeed.”
International Reactions and Renewed Condemnations
European leaders have condemned Russia’s latest strikes, calling them “indiscriminate attacks on civilians.” The European Union said it would move forward with additional sanctions targeting Russian defense and energy sectors.
The United Kingdom reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ukraine, highlighting the effectiveness of the Storm Shadow missiles provided to Kyiv. “These precision strikes are a legitimate response to ongoing Russian aggression,” said a spokesperson for the UK Ministry of Defence.
In Washington, the White House reiterated that Trump’s administration remains focused on “pressuring Russia diplomatically” while continuing humanitarian and defense aid to Ukraine.
A Night That Mirrors the War’s Brutality
For many Ukrainians, the latest attacks are a grim reminder that the war remains far from over — and that peace efforts, whether led by Trump or European mediators, have yet to yield any tangible results.
The sound of explosions echoed across Kyiv long into the night, followed by the cries of residents who lost loved ones. Emergency services said they recovered the bodies of the elderly couple and two children early Wednesday morning.
“Every missile that hits our cities shows the world that Russia doesn’t want peace,” Zelensky said. “We will keep defending ourselves and fighting for every life.”
The Road Ahead
As winter approaches, Ukraine faces mounting challenges — a relentless Russian bombardment, uncertain Western military aid, and fragile diplomatic prospects.
Still, Zelensky remains defiant, insisting that Ukraine will not accept any peace terms that reward Russian aggression.
“Our people have paid too high a price to surrender their freedom,” he said. “Ukraine will never bow to terror.”