Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on Western allies to intensify pressure on Russia following a devastating overnight missile and drone attack that killed at least one person and ignited multiple fires in Kyiv.
“Apartment buildings, office buildings, and civilian infrastructure were damaged,” Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram. “All our services are on the ground, assisting people and dealing with the consequences of this terror.”
He confirmed the fatality in Kyiv, stating, “Unfortunately, as of now, one person has died. Four more were injured, including a child. My condolences to their family and friends.”
Scale of the Attack
Ukraine’s air force reported successfully intercepting six out of seven ballistic missiles fired at Kyiv and the central city of Kryvyi Rih, Zelenskyy’s hometown. In addition, Russia launched 123 strike drones across Ukraine, with 71 being shot down and 40 lost in flight, according to the air force.
In Chernihiv Oblast, Viacheslav Chaus, the regional governor, reported that two people were injured when a Russian drone targeted a critical infrastructure site.
Meanwhile, Serhiy Lysak, governor of Dnipropetrovsk’s regional military administration, confirmed that missile strikes in Kryvyi Rih caused damage to infrastructure, high-rise residential buildings, administrative offices, and educational institutions.
Zelenskyy Warns Against Russian Aggression
Zelenskyy renewed his call for stronger action against Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasizing that the Kremlin’s aggression would not cease without intervention.
“This Russian terror against Ukraine will not stop on its own,” he declared. “Putin is not preparing for peace—he continues to kill Ukrainians and destroy cities.”
He further stressed the need for decisive measures, writing, “Only strong steps and pressure on Russia can stop this terror. Right now, we need unity and support from all our partners in the fight for a just end to this war.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
U.S.-Russia Diplomacy Amid Escalating Conflict
The latest missile barrage came just hours after Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, traveled to Moscow to negotiate the release of Mark Fogel, a 63-year-old American who had been imprisoned in Russia since 2021 on drug charges.
Following Fogel’s release, Trump told reporters he believed the development could serve as a stepping stone toward peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. “I want to get the war ended,” he stated.
Despite diplomatic efforts, Moscow has continued launching nightly missile and drone attacks, further escalating tensions ahead of significant meetings between U.S. and Ukrainian officials.
Upcoming High-Level Talks
Keith Kellogg, Trump’s envoy on Russia-Ukraine affairs, is scheduled to visit Ukraine this week. Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance will travel to the Munich Security Conference next weekend, where Zelenskyy is expected to lead Ukraine’s delegation.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Counter-Disinformation Center under the National Security and Defense Council, pointed out a troubling pattern in Russia’s tactics. “Every public statement by the West about ‘progress’ in the movement towards peace is accompanied by missile strikes by the Russian Federation,” he wrote.
Kovalenko suggested that Putin would likely continue leveraging such aggressive tactics throughout 2025, stating, “These are methods of diplomacy that are closely intertwined with the front.”
Ukraine Strikes Back
Even as Russian attacks persist, Ukraine has maintained its own long-range strike operations inside Russian territory. Moscow’s Defense Ministry announced on Telegram that it had intercepted seven Ukrainian drones over the western Belgorod and Kursk regions in the past 24 hours.
The ongoing hostilities highlight the fragile state of diplomatic discussions, with both sides preparing for further escalations as global leaders push for a resolution to the nearly three-year war.
