KYIV, UKRAINE December 27, 2025 – Russia launched one of its largest aerial assaults of the year on Ukraine’s capital early Saturday, deploying hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles in a nearly 10-hour barrage that damaged residential buildings, sparked fires, and disrupted power supplies amid freezing temperatures.
Ukrainian officials reported at least one person killed and up to 32 injured, including children, across multiple districts in Kyiv. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the attack as involving approximately 500 drones and 40 missiles, primarily targeting civilian infrastructure and energy facilities.
Dramatic footage circulating on social media showed a bright explosion and fireball engulfing the upper floors of a high-rise apartment building in the city, illuminating the snowy urban landscape under cloudy skies. Emergency services rushed to multiple sites, evacuating residents and extinguishing blazes in structures including an 18-story tower in the Dnipro district and a 24-story building in Darnytsia.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed the “massive strike” used precision-guided weapons, including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, to hit energy sites supporting Ukraine’s military and industrial complex, in retaliation for alleged Ukrainian attacks on Russian civilian targets.
Zelenskyy condemned the timing of the assault, occurring just one day before his scheduled meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida to discuss a potential framework for ending the nearly four-year war. “This is Russia’s answer to our peace efforts,” Zelenskyy said, accusing Moscow of raising stakes rather than pursuing diplomacy.
The strikes knocked out electricity and heating for hundreds of thousands in the Kyiv region, exacerbating hardships during winter. Air raid alerts lasted for hours, with explosions reported from pre-dawn into the morning.
International reactions underscored ongoing support for Ukraine. EU leaders reaffirmed unwavering aid, while the attack highlighted territorial disputes—particularly over Donetsk—as key obstacles in U.S.-brokered peace initiatives.
Rescue operations continued throughout the day, with authorities warning of potential additional casualties under rubble. The incident marks an escalation in Russian attacks on urban centers as diplomatic efforts intensify.
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