A large-scale overnight attack involving Russian missiles and drones targeted the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, as well as other major cities including Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia, according to local authorities and Ukrainian monitoring channels.
Explosions were first reported in Kyiv at around 4:00 a.m. local time, prompting Ukrainian air defense systems to activate and intercept incoming aerial threats. Officials said the attack caused damage to residential buildings and civilian infrastructure, while emergency services responded to fires and other incidents across the city.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that air defenses were operating and urged residents to remain in shelters as the assault unfolded. Reports indicated that a private property in the Holosiivskyi district caught fire, while a two-story house in the Pecherskyi district was engulfed in flames following the strikes.
Monitoring channels also suggested that additional missile launches from Russian aircraft were possible, raising concerns about further escalation during the early morning hours.
Diplomatic Talks Scheduled in Geneva
The attack comes as Ukraine and the United States prepare for high-level negotiations in Geneva aimed at advancing efforts toward a new agreement related to the ongoing war.
The bilateral meeting is expected to lay the groundwork for a potential trilateral dialogue involving Moscow, Kyiv, and Washington in the coming weeks. According to reports, Kirill Dmitriev, an investment adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, is planning to travel to Geneva to continue discussions with American negotiators on economic and strategic issues.
The renewed diplomatic push follows a series of recent contacts between U.S. and Ukrainian officials as they seek new frameworks to address the conflict and broader security concerns in the region.
Despite ongoing negotiations, the overnight assault underscores the continued intensity of the war and the fragile environment surrounding diplomatic efforts.
