Russia launches one of largest aerial assaults in a month on Ukraine as Kyiv delegation heads to United States for peace talks

Russia launched one of its largest aerial assaults in a month on Ukraine early Saturday, firing around 36 missiles and nearly 600 drones, according to Ukrainian authorities. The barrage struck Kyiv and surrounding regions, reportedly killing at least three people and injuring dozens. The strikes heavily damaged energy infrastructure and left more than 600,000 consumers without electricity, with over 500,000 of those in Kyiv. Authorities earlier said much of the capital remained under air-raid alert for more than ten hours, as air defenses worked to intercept the onslaught.

Officials described extensive damage to civilian properties including homes and energy facilities. Firefighters and rescue crews responded to multiple fires in residential buildings and apartment blocks. The scale of the strikes caused widespread power outages across Kyiv and other regions, with many residents relying on generators, flashlights and temporary lighting overnight.

The attacks come as a delegation from Kyiv — now headed by Secretary of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov — travels to the United States for a new round of peace talks. The diplomatic push follows a previous proposal by the U.S. that Ukraine has deemed overly favorable to Russia. Ukrainian leaders hope the discussions will lead to a “dignified peace.”

The massive strike and resulting civilian hardship underscore persistent risks to non-combatants even as international diplomacy proceeds. Analysts warn that targeting energy infrastructure, especially as winter approaches, may be part of a broader strategy to pressure Ukraine into concessions.

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