7 Shocking Facts as Kyiv Comes Under Massive Russian Missile and Drone Attack

7 Shocking Facts as Kyiv Comes Under Massive Russian Missile and Drone Attack ahead of Zelensky–Trump peace talks. Ukraine’s capital Kyiv came under a massive Russian missile and drone attack early Saturday, with residents jolted awake by powerful explosions and air raid sirens as authorities issued urgent warnings to remain inside shelters.

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The strikes came at a critical diplomatic moment, just days before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet US President Donald Trump in Florida to finalise details of a proposed peace plan aimed at ending the nearly four-year-long war between Russia and Ukraine.

7 Shocking Facts as Kyiv Comes Under Massive Russian Missile and Drone Attack

Mayor Issues ‘Stay in Shelter’ Warning as Air Defences Activate

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed the attack in a Telegram post, urging residents not to ignore air raid alerts.

“Explosions in the capital. Air defence forces are operating. Stay in shelters,” Klitschko wrote.

Shortly after his message, air raid sirens echoed across the city, and Ukraine’s air defence units were seen intercepting incoming targets over Kyiv.

Explosions Light Up Kyiv’s Night Sky

Journalists from AFP and Reuters in Kyiv reported hearing multiple loud explosions, some accompanied by bright flashes that turned the horizon orange, indicating active air defence interceptions.

Unofficial Telegram channels tracking military movements also reported cruise and ballistic missile deployments, adding to fears of a coordinated and sustained Russian assault on the capital.

According to eyewitness accounts, the blasts continued intermittently for hours, keeping the city on edge as air raid alerts remained in force.

Ukraine Issues Nationwide Air Alert

Ukraine’s Air Force announced a countrywide air alert, warning that Russian drones and missiles were moving across several regions, including Kyiv, the northeast, and southern parts of the country.

The alert remained active for nearly four hours in the capital, underscoring the scale of the attack. Authorities said there were no immediate reports of major damage or power outages, but assessments were ongoing.

Details of the Russian Overnight Assault

According to the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Russia launched a large-scale overnight attack between the evening of December 25 and the morning of December 26.

Weapons Used in the Attack

• 1 Iskander-M ballistic missile, launched from occupied Crimea
• 99 attack drones, including Shahed, Gerbera, and other UAV types
• Launch points included Bryansk, Kursk, Primorsko-Akhtarsk (Russia) and Hvardiiske (Crimea)

About 60 of the drones were Shahed-type, commonly used by Russia for long-range strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure and cities.

Ukraine’s Air Defence Response

Ukraine’s defence forces mounted a multi-layered response involving:

• Fighter aviation
• Anti-aircraft missile units
• Electronic warfare systems
• Mobile fire groups and unmanned systems units

By 9:00 a.m., Ukrainian forces reported that 73 enemy drones were shot down or electronically suppressed across northern, southern, and eastern regions.

However, hits by the ballistic missile and 26 drones were recorded at 16 locations, though authorities did not immediately disclose the extent of damage or casualties.

Kyiv Attack Comes Ahead of Zelensky–Trump Meeting

The timing of the Russian assault is significant. President Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled to meet Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday, where both leaders are expected to discuss a 20-point peace plan aimed at ending Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.

Zelensky has said the meeting will focus on territorial control, security guarantees, and the conditions required to halt active fighting.

What Is in the Proposed 20-Point Peace Plan?

Details revealed by Zelensky this week indicate that the US-backed proposal would:

• Freeze fighting along current front lines
• Allow Ukraine to withdraw troops from parts of eastern Ukraine
• Establish demilitarised buffer zones
• Include a security guarantee agreement between the US and Ukraine

Zelensky said the plan is about 90% complete, but key issues—especially territorial control—remain unresolved.

Territory Remains the Core Diplomatic Stumbling Block

Control of territory continues to be the most contentious issue in negotiations.

Russia’s Position

• Moscow demands Ukraine withdraw from parts of the Donetsk region
• Russia seeks full control of the Donbas, including Luhansk

Ukraine’s Position

• Kyiv wants fighting halted at current lines
• Zelensky insists on legally binding security guarantees

Under a US compromise proposal, a free economic zone could be established if Ukraine cedes parts of Donetsk, though details remain unclear.

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Also a Key Issue

Another major sticking point is the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, Europe’s largest, which was seized by Russian forces early in the war.

Control and safety of the plant remain unresolved, with Kyiv warning that Russian occupation poses ongoing nuclear risks.

Russia Accuses Kyiv and EU of ‘Tormenting’ Peace Efforts

Russia has accused Zelensky and his European allies of trying to “torpedo” the US-brokered peace initiative.

Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on national television:

“Our ability to make the final push and reach an agreement will depend on our own work and the political will of the other party.”

He added that Kyiv and its EU backers were stepping up efforts to derail the process.

Trump Signals Confidence but Asserts Control

Donald Trump has portrayed the United States as the driving force behind the peace process.

“He doesn’t have anything until I approve it,” Trump said in an interview, referring to Zelensky.

Trump also said he expected to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin soon and expressed confidence that Sunday’s meeting with Zelensky would go well.

Continued Fighting Undermines Diplomatic Momentum

Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, fighting across Ukraine remains intense.

• Russia struck Ukraine’s energy infrastructure earlier this week
• Heavy attacks were reported in Odesa, home to key seaports
• Ukrainian forces reported halting a Russian offensive near Huliaipole

Ukrainian officials also said a domestically produced drone destroyed a latest-generation Russian UAV, highlighting Kyiv’s expanding drone capabilities.

Human Cost of the War Continues to Mount

Since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, the war has killed tens of thousands, displaced millions, and devastated large swathes of Ukraine.

Zelensky has warned that without meaningful security guarantees, any ceasefire risks becoming temporary, allowing Russia to regroup and strike again.

Conclusion: Diplomacy Under Fire

The latest Russian attack on Kyiv underscores the fragile state of peace efforts and the reality that diplomacy is unfolding under the shadow of active warfare.

As explosions rocked the Ukrainian capital and residents sheltered underground, the message from the battlefield was clear: the road to peace remains uncertain, and the coming days—particularly the Trump-Zelensky meeting—could prove decisive for the future of the conflict.

For Kyiv’s residents, however, the priority remains survival as air raid sirens and missile threats continue to shape daily life.

Also Read: 20-Point Breakthrough: Trump-Led Peace Plan That Could End the Russia-Ukraine War

Also Read: Zelensky-Trump talks on Sunday to focus on Ukraine security, European involvement amid Russia tensions