A significant air assault by Russia struck Kyiv on December 27, 2025, just one day before a scheduled meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and former U.S. President Donald Trump. The attack targeted residential buildings and energy infrastructure, resulting in widespread damage and casualties. Reports indicate at least one death and numerous injuries, including two children.
The assault began early in the morning and persisted for several hours, with explosions echoing throughout the city. Zelenskyy described the attack as a direct response to Ukraine’s ongoing peace efforts, stating, “This attack is Russia’s answer to our peace efforts. It really shows that Putin doesn’t want peace.” The President had recently stopped in Halifax, Nova Scotia, to meet with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who announced $1.8 billion in economic assistance for Ukraine to support reconstruction and development, unlocking further financing from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
In a statement following the attack, Carney emphasized the importance of international support for Ukraine, declaring, “The barbarism that we saw overnight, the attack on Kyiv, shows just how important it is that we stand with Ukraine during this difficult time.”
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed responsibility for the “massive strike,” utilizing “long-range precision-guided weapons from land, air, and sea.” This included the deployment of Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and drones, targeting facilities critical to Ukraine’s military and energy infrastructure. The Ministry asserted that the attack was a response to Ukrainian actions against civilian targets in Russia.
Zelenskyy confirmed that the strikes focused primarily on energy and civilian infrastructure, leading to significant power outages across the capital. “In some districts of the region, there is no electricity or heating because of the attacks,” he stated. More than ten residential buildings were reportedly damaged, with emergency services responding to multiple fires ignited by the strikes.
The situation escalated further as the Russian military claimed to have taken control of several towns in eastern Ukraine, including Myrnohrad and Huliaipole. However, Ukraine’s General Staff dismissed these claims as “not supported by facts,” stating that defensive operations were ongoing and the situation remained challenging.
In a show of heightened military readiness, Poland scrambled fighter jets and temporarily closed airports in Lublin and Rzeszow, although no violations of Polish airspace occurred. The Polish armed forces noted that the decision was precautionary in light of the ongoing Russian attacks in Ukraine.
As the conflict continues to unfold, Zelenskyy and Trump are expected to discuss critical issues, including security guarantees for Ukraine in their upcoming talks. Zelenskyy has indicated that the U.S. is prepared to offer assurances similar to those under NATO’s Article 5, which states that an attack on one member would trigger a collective military response from allies.
The contrasting narratives between Ukraine and Russia highlight the complexities of the ongoing conflict, with each side accusing the other of escalating tensions. As rescue workers continue to clear debris and provide assistance to those affected by the attack, the international community watches closely, awaiting the outcomes of the forthcoming discussions between Zelenskyy and Trump.
