As temperatures in Ukraine plunge to minus 19 degrees Celsius, millions of civilians are facing severe shortages of electricity, heating, and water, amid intensified Russian attacks on critical infrastructure. At the same time, the United States is shifting diplomatic focus toward a potential settlement, with senior envoys expected to travel to Russia to meet President Vladimir Putin.
According to Bloomberg, U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, are preparing to visit Moscow in the coming days. The talks are expected to center on a revised peace framework, reportedly reduced from 28 to 20 points, though no ceasefire agreement has yet been finalized.
Despite diplomatic efforts, hostilities continue unabated. Russia has launched a new wave of missile and drone strikes across multiple Ukrainian regions, including the capital Kyiv, where explosions were reported in a 17-story residential building, leaving several people injured and causing significant material damage.
Russian authorities claim their air defenses intercepted dozens of Ukrainian drones. However, some explosive-laden drones reportedly struck Russia’s border regions of Rostov and Belgorod, killing two people and sparking a fire at an industrial park in Rostov.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure, stating that thousands of residents have been left without basic services.
“The main target is energy infrastructure — infrastructure that ensures normal life for our population: heating, light, and water,” Zelensky said.
He confirmed that the regions of Dnipro, Zhytomyr, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, and Kherson were among those hit in the latest attacks. Zelensky emphasized that strengthening air defense systems remains Ukraine’s top priority.
“If we can counter 100% of these Russian attacks, Putin’s terror will stop,” Zelensky said, adding that depriving Moscow of its ability to strike civilian targets could force it toward peace.
The humanitarian situation has worsened as winter grips the country, forcing many Ukrainians to seek shelter in heated public facilities overnight due to the lack of electricity, heating, and running water in their homes.
As diplomatic efforts intensify, Ukraine continues to endure both military pressure and extreme weather, highlighting the urgency of protecting civilian infrastructure amid ongoing negotiations.
