Fresh Wave of Attacks Deepens Crisis on Day 1,371 of the Ukraine War
Russia launched a new wave of intense missile and drone strikes on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv early Tuesday, igniting residential buildings, damaging critical energy infrastructure, and killing at least six people. The assault marks one of the heaviest barrages in recent months as Moscow escalates attacks ahead of winter, placing millions under renewed threat.
Ukrainian authorities confirmed that multiple districts across the capital suffered direct hits, triggering widespread fires, evacuations, and disruptions to power and water supply. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces carried out counterstrikes inside Russia, hitting targets in the port city of Taganrog.
This renewed cycle of escalation comes as negotiations continue in Geneva over a controversial US-backed “peace plan” and as global leaders warn that no solution appears close.
High-Rise Buildings Ablaze in Kyiv
The early-morning strikes sent shockwaves across Kyiv. According to Tymur Tkachenko, head of the capital’s military administration, a high-rise residential complex on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River sustained a direct hit, killing four people and injuring at least three others in the Svyatoshynsky district.
In the eastern Dniprovsky quarter, the State Emergency Service (SES) reported two additional deaths after a separate apartment building was struck. Firefighters and rescue teams scrambled to control the flames and evacuate residents trapped on upper floors.
Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that another high-rise building in the central Pechersk district was also hit, prompting immediate evacuation. He said the strikes resulted in disruptions to electricity and water services across several neighbourhoods.
“The scale of today’s attacks shows once again that Russia’s objective is to break the resilience of Kyiv,” Klitschko said.
Energy Infrastructure Damaged
Ukrainian officials reported multiple hits on energy infrastructure, raising fears of renewed winter blackouts similar to those witnessed in 2022.
The SES said at least 18 people — including three children — were rescued from damaged buildings as rescue work continued throughout the morning. Videos shared on local Telegram channels showed towering plumes of smoke, shattered apartments, and emergency crews navigating burning debris.
The attack follows repeated Russian attempts to cripple Ukraine’s power grid as temperatures drop, raising humanitarian concerns for the months ahead.
Ukraine Strikes Back in Russia’s Taganrog
In response, Ukrainian airstrikes targeted the Russian port city of Taganrog, killing one person and injuring three others, according to Mayor Svetlana Kambulova.
She said multiple buildings — including two apartment blocks, a private residence, a college facility, a kindergarten, and industrial sites — sustained damage in the overnight assault.
The strikes reflect Ukraine’s growing capability to hit deep inside Russian territory, particularly energy facilities and military infrastructure.
Kyiv Rewrites the US Peace Proposal
The sudden escalation coincides with ongoing high-stakes negotiations in Geneva over the controversial 28-point US “peace plan” aimed at ending the war.
People familiar with the talks said Ukraine has significantly amended the original draft, removing several Russian demands that Kyiv considered unacceptable. These included territorial concessions, military reductions, and a pledge not to join NATO.
Ukrainian officials insist that the revised proposal reflects “most of Ukraine’s key priorities”.
Amid the ongoing discussions, sources indicated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may travel to Washington later this week for a meeting with President Donald Trump — a crucial moment that could influence the fate of the talks.
White House Pushes Back Against Criticism
The US administration defended its efforts following criticism that the original proposal appeared to favour Russia.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said claims that Washington was siding with Moscow were “a complete and total fallacy.” She emphasised that Trump remained “hopeful and optimistic” about reaching an agreement but acknowledged that negotiations were extremely sensitive.
Both US and Ukrainian negotiators said any final deal would also require Russia’s approval — a major sticking point that has raised concerns across Europe.
Russia’s Advantage Grows as Negotiations Stall
Analysts say the leaked peace plan has placed Ukraine in a vulnerable negotiating position, giving Russia leverage it previously lacked.
Experts warn that the framework mirrors conditions long sought by President Vladimir Putin: a tilted table that pressures Ukraine to accept unfavourable terms while its dependence on US support hangs in the balance.
European nations have voiced apprehension over the pace of the talks, stressing that no agreement can be rushed “under duress”.
Drone Strike Triggers Fire in Moscow Region
Meanwhile, a Ukrainian drone attack on Sunday triggered a major fire at a heating and power plant in the Moscow region’s Shatura town, shutting it down temporarily.
Regional governor Andrei Vorobyov said the plant has now resumed operations, but the strike marked one of Kyiv’s “most significant attacks” on Russian energy infrastructure to date.
Ikea Arson Case Linked to Russian Intelligence
In a related development, a Lithuanian court convicted a Ukrainian national for a 2024 arson attack at an Ikea store in Vilnius. Authorities alleged that Russian military intelligence orchestrated the act as retaliation for Sweden’s support to Ukraine and Ikea’s pullout from Russia.
The convict, who was a minor during the attack, received a sentence of three years and four months.
