Russian Missile and Drone Strikes Pound Kyiv Ahead of Zelenskyy-Trump Peace Meeting in Florida

KYIV, Ukraine — In a dramatic escalation of hostilities, Russian forces launched a massive barrage of missile and drone attacks on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, on Saturday — just hours before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was scheduled to travel to Florida for crucial peace negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump aimed at ending nearly four years of war. Analysts say the strikes raise fresh questions about Russia’s intentions and the fragility of diplomatic efforts toward a lasting ceasefire.

The overnight assault involved hundreds of drones and more than 40 ballistic missiles, according to Ukrainian officials, leaving parts of Kyiv without power and heat amid freezing winter temperatures. At least one civilian was killed, and dozens of others were wounded, including children, as explosions echoed across multiple districts of the capital during the early morning hours.

Local authorities reported that the strikes damaged residential buildings and energy infrastructure, forcing emergency crews to battle fires and carry out search-and-rescue operations. In some neighborhoods, air raid sirens blared for nearly 10 hours before the alert was lifted late Saturday morning, adding to the sense of alarm gripping residents.

Ukraine’s president — en route to Florida — denounced the attacks as a direct challenge to international peace efforts. Zelenskyy accused Moscow of attempting to undermine negotiations and inflict “greater suffering” on civilians as world leaders prepare to address the future of territorial control and security guarantees.

The Florida talks between Zelenskyy and Trump are expected to focus on resolving key diplomatic sticking points, including proposals for territorial arrangements in disputed regions such as Donetsk and the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant area — issues that both sides have wrestled with in months of negotiations.

Experts say the timing of Russia’s bombardment — during a period of heightened global diplomatic attention — indicates Moscow may be seeking leverage. Ukrainian leaders have insisted they will not compromise on sovereignty, even as Western capitals push for accelerated peace efforts in Europe’s bloodiest conflict since World War II.

Despite the violence, Zelenskyy remains committed to advancing talks and securing stronger international support for Ukraine’s defense and long-term security. As the world watches these high-stakes negotiations unfold, the strikes on Kyiv underscore how fragile peace prospects remain in the face of persistent military escalation.