Kyiv (Rajeev Sharma): Kyiv and surrounding regions were jolted by a powerful overnight barrage of missiles and drones, plunging residents into shelters and heightening tensions just ahead of a scheduled meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump. The attack marked one of the most intense aerial assaults on the capital in recent weeks.
Air raid sirens sounded repeatedly as Ukrainian air defence units engaged incoming threats. Residents reported hearing a series of loud blasts across different parts of the city, while flashes in the night sky indicated active interception efforts. Strikes were also felt in nearby towns, including Brovary, where electricity supply was disrupted in several neighbourhoods.
Ukraine’s Air Force issued continuous alerts warning of ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles approaching Kyiv from multiple directions. Officials cautioned that drones were also detected moving toward the capital from the Chernihiv region and other northern areas, prompting extended shelter advisories.
City authorities confirmed that emergency services were deployed immediately to assess the situation and assist affected areas. Kyiv’s mayor appealed to citizens to remain cautious and follow safety instructions until the threat subsided.
The timing of the assault comes as diplomatic momentum builds. President Zelenskyy has indicated that his upcoming discussions with President Trump could help advance efforts toward ending the nearly four-year conflict, with talks expected to focus on security guarantees and post-war arrangements. However, Trump has publicly stated that any peace framework would ultimately require his endorsement.
Russia, meanwhile, said its forces had carried out coordinated strikes across Ukraine, claiming the actions were a response to alleged attacks on civilian infrastructure within Russian territory. The Russian defence ministry also asserted that its troops continued to make advances on southern battlefronts, including in the Zaporizhzhia region.
As Ukraine weighs the impact of the overnight strikes, the developments underscore the fragile environment in which diplomatic negotiations are unfolding, with military escalation continuing alongside efforts to seek a political resolution.
