Kyiv, Ukraine | December 27, 2025
Several powerful explosions rocked Ukraine’s capital Kyiv early Friday after Russian forces launched a large-scale coordinated attack using Iskander missiles and drones, sharply escalating the conflict just days before critical peace discussions between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and U.S. President Donald Trump.
According to Ukrainian officials, the assault triggered widespread air raid sirens across the city, with emergency services reporting damage to infrastructure as air defense systems attempted to intercept incoming projectiles. Authorities urged residents to remain in shelters as alerts continued into the morning hours.
The timing of the attack is significant. Zelenskiy is scheduled to meet President Trump on Sunday in Florida, where the two leaders are expected to discuss territorial disputes, security guarantees, and a proposed peace framework aimed at ending the nearly four-year-long war.
Zelenskiy has previously described December 25, 2025, as a potential “turning point” in negotiations, citing intensified diplomatic efforts supported by Washington. The proposed framework reportedly includes a 20-point peace plan, though details remain undisclosed.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has recently signaled openness to limited territorial adjustments, including potential swaps involving areas in Kharkiv or Zaporizhzhia, but continues to insist on full Russian control over the Donbas region, a key sticking point in negotiations.
Friday’s missile and drone strike has further strained the fragile diplomatic momentum, underscoring the volatility surrounding indirect peace efforts mediated through U.S. channels.
No official casualty figures were immediately released, and Ukrainian authorities continue to assess the full extent of the damage.
