Russia launches attack on Ukrainian capital in lead-up to Trump-Zelenskyy summit

Russia Launches Drone and Missile Strikes on Kyiv, Killing at Least One Person

A drone and missile attack on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, occurred on Saturday morning, resulting in the deaths of at least one person and leaving a third of the city without heat. The attacks began around 6:00 am local time and continued for nearly 10 hours, prompting an air alert for the entire city.

According to local authorities, the attack killed a 47-year-old woman and wounded at least 22 others, including two children. The Kyiv City military administration reported that some 500 drones and 40 missiles were launched targeting energy facilities and civilian infrastructure.

The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stated that the attack was still ongoing as of 10:45 am local time. He also expressed frustration with Russia’s leadership, stating that they “do not want to end the war” and are instead seeking to cause Ukraine greater suffering.

Zelenskyy plans to meet with US President Donald Trump on Sunday in Florida to discuss security guarantees and territorial control. The meeting comes as tensions between Russia and Ukraine remain high, with Moscow demanding that Ukraine withdraw from parts of the eastern Donetsk region.

The attack has also had a significant impact on the city’s infrastructure, with temperatures hovering around freezing (0 degrees Celsius) and 320,000 households losing power in the broader Kyiv region. Zelenskyy is scheduled to speak by phone with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other European leaders ahead of his US trip.

The situation remains fluid, with ongoing reports of damage and casualties.

Source: Al Jazeera