Seven Killed, Including Two Children, as Russia Launches New Wave of Drone and Missile Strikes Across Ukraine
At least seven people, including two children, have been killed following intense overnight Russian drone and missile attacks on several Ukrainian cities, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. The strikes, which caused widespread damage to civilian areas in Kyiv and Kharkiv, have left more than 26 people injured, including several children.
Zelensky condemned the assault, saying it once again proved that Russia has not faced sufficient international pressure to stop its full-scale invasion, now entering its third year.
Deadly Strikes Hit Kyiv and Kharkiv
The latest bombardment struck key urban centers, including Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, and Kharkiv, its second-largest city. Ukrainian officials confirmed that residential buildings, schools, and energy infrastructure were among the primary targets.
In Kharkiv, a kindergarten was hit during the early morning attack. Mayor Ihor Terekhov said a 40-year-old man was killed, and at least five others were injured, including children. Images and videos shared on social media showed destroyed classrooms, collapsed roofs, and playground equipment covered in debris.
In Kyiv, a couple in their 60s died when a drone slammed into their high-rise apartment building, sparking fires that spread through multiple floors. Across the wider Kyiv region, four more civilians were killed, among them a woman, a six-month-old baby, and a 12-year-old girl.
Zelensky called the attacks “an act of deliberate terror,” emphasizing that Russia’s repeated strikes on civilian infrastructure show “a blatant disregard for humanity and international law.”
Kyiv Under Fire Once Again
Residents of Kyiv described a terrifying night as air raid sirens blared for hours. The city endured waves of ballistic missiles and drones, prompting Ukraine’s air defense systems to engage repeatedly. Explosions echoed across the capital as debris from intercepted missiles fell onto residential neighborhoods.
By dawn, emergency crews battled fires in apartment blocks and power stations, while first responders pulled survivors from the rubble.
Member of Parliament Inna Sovsun told the BBC that the air raids “lasted throughout the night” and were clearly aimed at Ukraine’s power grid.
“For the majority, like myself, it means we don’t have electricity or water,” she said. “It’s a direct attack on civilians meant to break morale.”
Ukraine’s Energy Ministry confirmed that the strikes caused severe damage to power infrastructure, forcing emergency outages in several regions, including Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kharkiv.
Zelensky Links Russia’s Escalation to Delayed U.S. Military Aid
President Zelensky suggested that the timing of Russia’s latest attacks was not coincidental. He linked the renewed bombardment to the U.S. decision to postpone providing Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles, following his unsuccessful meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump last week in Washington.
“As soon as the issue of long-range missiles became a little further away for us, then almost automatically Russia became less interested in diplomacy,” Zelensky said.
The Ukrainian leader’s remarks reflect growing frustration in Kyiv as Trump’s administration hesitates to deliver new long-range weapons, which Ukrainian commanders say are crucial to striking Russian logistics and command centers deep behind enemy lines.
Trump-Putin Summit Postponed Amid Diplomatic Confusion
Just hours before the attacks, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that his planned summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest had been postponed indefinitely. Trump said he did not want to have a “wasted meeting,” signaling deep divisions over the conditions for peace talks.
“I don’t want to have a wasted meeting. I don’t want to have a waste of time,” Trump told reporters at the White House.
The Kremlin, however, contradicted Trump’s comments, insisting that preparations for the summit were still ongoing.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that “careful preparation” was needed before announcing a date but emphasized that both leaders remain interested in a meeting.
“A summit is the mutual desire of both presidents,” Peskov said, dismissing reports that the event had been canceled as “gossip and rumors.”
The back-and-forth highlights the uncertainty surrounding U.S.-Russia relations, particularly regarding the war in Ukraine. European leaders have also urged both Washington and Moscow to push for a ceasefire along current frontlines, though Russia has repeatedly rejected such proposals.
Ukraine Strikes Back with UK-Supplied Missiles
In response to Russia’s aggression, Ukraine’s military announced that it had carried out a precision strike on a Russian chemical plant in the Bryansk border region using UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles.
Ukrainian military officials described the operation as “a successful hit,” claiming the strike penetrated Russian air defenses and caused “significant damage.”
According to Kyiv, the targeted plant produces gunpowder, explosives, and rocket fuel components used in Russian missiles and artillery shells that are launched against Ukraine.
While Moscow has not officially confirmed the attack, local residents reported a series of explosions and large plumes of smoke rising from the industrial site late Tuesday night.
Ongoing Humanitarian Impact
The renewed Russian attacks have once again devastated Ukrainian communities already struggling with months of blackouts and infrastructure damage. Schools, hospitals, and residential buildings continue to suffer from repeated missile barrages.
Humanitarian agencies have warned of worsening conditions as winter approaches, particularly in eastern and northern regions where heating systems remain unreliable.
UN officials estimate that millions of Ukrainians are living without consistent access to electricity, clean water, or heating. Relief organizations have called for increased international assistance to ensure that civilians can survive the coming cold months.
Global Reaction and Condemnation
International condemnation swiftly followed the attacks. The European Union, United Nations, and NATO issued statements denouncing Russia’s continued targeting of civilians.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that Moscow’s missile strikes were “clear violations of international humanitarian law” and called for stronger sanctions to pressure Russia to end its assault.
Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg reiterated the alliance’s commitment to supporting Ukraine for “as long as it takes,” emphasizing that Russia’s attacks were designed to “break Ukrainian spirit but will only strengthen Western resolve.”
A War Without an End in Sight
More than two years since Russia’s full-scale invasion began, the war shows no signs of abating. Despite diplomatic efforts and repeated international calls for peace, both sides remain entrenched.
Zelensky continues to seek stronger military and political support from Western allies, while Moscow insists that any negotiations must recognize Russia’s control over occupied territories — a demand Ukraine and its allies firmly reject.
As diplomatic uncertainty grows, the people of Ukraine are left to endure the daily reality of air raid sirens, blackouts, and destruction.
“Every missile that hits our homes is a reminder that peace is not yet close,” Zelensky said. “But Ukraine will not surrender. We will defend our people, no matter how long it takes.”