Russian military operations killed one person and wounded 15 others in Kyiv and Kharkiv, while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated demands for Ukrainian withdrawal from the Donbas region. The attacks on residential areas continued even as peace negotiations proceeded in Abu Dhabi.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko warned residents that the capital faced a “massive enemy attack,” directing them to seek shelter immediately. The strikes hit residential buildings, causing casualties and significant infrastructure damage. Heat and water services were disrupted across parts of the city, affecting thousands of civilians during the winter months.
Mayor Igor Terekhov reported that Kharkiv experienced attacks from Iranian-made Shahed drones, which damaged several residential complexes. The drone strikes demonstrated Russia’s continued reliance on Iranian military technology to target Ukrainian cities. The northeastern city has faced persistent bombardment throughout the war.
In Abu Dhabi, negotiators from Russia, Ukraine, and the United States engaged in two-day talks aimed at ending the conflict. The UAE foreign ministry characterized the discussions as efforts “to promote dialogue and identify political solutions to the crisis.” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that “Russia’s position is well known on the fact that Ukraine, Ukrainian armed forces, have to leave the territory of the Donbas,” highlighting the primary obstacle to peace.
President Zelensky expressed optimism following his meeting with President Trump, announcing that peace proposals were approaching completion. He proposed establishing a free trade zone in eastern Ukraine under Ukrainian control, which he discussed with the American president. President Putin held separate meetings with Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, as multiple diplomatic initiatives continued throughout the weekend.