At least two people were killed and tens wounded as Russian forces launched drone and missile attacks on Kyiv on Saturday, hours before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was set to meet US President Donald Trump in Florida.
The strikes knocked out power to over a million homes and disrupted daily life across the capital.
Early Saturday, Russian ballistic missiles and drones targeted Kyiv for nearly 10 hours. Authorities reported the death of a 71-year-old man in the Dniprovskyi district and another person in Bila Tserka. At least 32 others, including two children, were injured.
President Zelenskyy said some 500 drones and 40 missiles hit energy facilities and civilian infrastructure. Energy company DTEK confirmed that more than a million households lost electricity.
Harsh winter conditions
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said a third of the city had no heating amid freezing temperatures around 0°C (32°F). Kyiv journalist Kristina Zelenyuk warned that Russian forces were “trying to cut off all Ukrainians from our critical resources just to freeze us.”
The attacks coincided with Zelenskyy’s preparations to meet Trump in Florida, focusing on security guarantees and territorial disputes. Analysts say the strikes were likely intended to pressure Ukraine ahead of the high-stakes negotiations.
Before the Trump meeting, Zelenskyy met Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Halifax, where Canada pledged $1.82 billion in additional aid. European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and EU chiefs Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, reaffirmed support for Ukraine.
Ongoing conflict
Russia continues to press for Ukraine’s withdrawal from eastern Donetsk, aiming for full control of the Donbas region. Kyiv insists on halting the fighting at current lines.
The US proposed a compromise involving a free economic zone if Ukraine relinquishes part of Donetsk, but Zelenskyy has indicated that Ukrainians could vote on the plan via referendum.
Statements from leaders
Following the attacks, Zelenskyy condemned Russia for “using every opportunity to cause Ukraine even greater suffering” and questioned the Kremlin’s willingness to end the war.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed Kyiv was not serious about peace and reiterated that Moscow would achieve all goals of its “special military operation” by force.
Separately, Russian forces reported capturing Myrnohrad in Donetsk and Huliaipole in Zaporizhia, highlighting continued advances in eastern Ukraine.
