Russian forces launched a massive missile attack on Kyiv in the early hours of Saturday, triggering intense air defence operations across Ukraine’s capital. Explosions rocked residential districts as the Ukrainian air force issued a nationwide alert at approximately 4:00 AM local time, warning of incoming cruise and ballistic missiles.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko issued an urgent Telegram update: “Explosions in the capital. Air defence forces are operating. Stay in shelters!” Reuters correspondents in Kyiv reported continuous bursts from air defence systems, with debris falling in multiple neighbourhoods. A Ukrainian military Telegram channel verified the deployment of both cruise missiles, likely Kalibr types launched from the Black Sea, and ballistic missiles, possibly Kinzhal or Iskander variants.

The assault marks the latest escalation in a series of Russian strikes over the Christmas period, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts in Geneva and Istanbul to broker a ceasefire. Ukrainian authorities reported no immediate casualty figures from the Kyiv attack, but emergency services were mobilised. Power fluctuations were noted in parts of the city, exacerbating existing grid strains.

This operation follows a pattern observed since late 2024, where Russia has intensified hybrid attacks combining low-cost drones with high-precision missiles to overwhelm Ukraine’s defences.

Largest Single-Day Barrage of the War

The current wave of attacks began on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, when Russian forces unleashed their most intense 24-hour barrage of the nearly four-year conflict: more than 650 drones – primarily Shahed-136 models – and 36 to 38 missiles targeted positions across Ukraine.

Casualties mounted quickly. A four-year-old child was killed in a drone strike on a residential area in Zhytomyr region, north-west of Kyiv. Separate drone attacks claimed the life of a woman in the Kyiv region and a civilian in the western Khmelnytskyi region, bringing the confirmed death toll to three. Dozens more were injured, with hospitals in affected areas overwhelmed.

Ukraine’s air force reported intercepting 587 drones and 34 missiles, achieving an interception rate of over 90% for drones. However, the remaining projectiles struck homes, schools, and critical infrastructure in 13 of Ukraine’s 24 regions, including Dnipro, Odesa, and Lviv. The strikes represented the ninth major Russian offensive against Ukraine’s energy sector this year, causing widespread blackouts.

DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private energy operator, confirmed direct hits on thermal power plants – the seventh such attack on its facilities since October 2025. “Repairs will take weeks amid freezing temperatures,” a DTEK spokesperson said, noting that 40% of Ukraine’s power generation capacity has been damaged or destroyed since the war’s outset.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the nation that evening: “This attack sends a very clear message regarding Russian priorities. An assault right before Christmas, when families yearn to be together in safety. This is an attack occurring amidst ongoing negotiations aimed at concluding this conflict.” Zelenskyy highlighted the timing, just days before Orthodox Christmas on January 7.

Civilian Targets Hit in Kherson and Chernihiv

Russian strikes continued unabated on Christmas Day, December 25. Forces targeted a crowded market in Kherson, southern Ukraine, killing one civilian and injuring six others. In a separate incident, a residential building in Chernihiv, northern Ukraine, was struck, resulting in one death and four injuries.

The overnight barrage from December 25 to 26 involved 99 drones and one Iskander-M ballistic missile launched from Russian-occupied Crimea. Ukrainian air defences intercepted 73 drones, but the remainder caused significant disruption. Kherson regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported: “The market was full of people buying holiday essentials. This was no military target.”

These attacks align with a documented Russian strategy of striking civilian gathering points during holidays, as seen in previous assaults on Odesa markets and Kyiv suburbs. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi condemned the strikes as “war crimes,” calling for an International Criminal Court investigation.

Emergency power outages affected over 500,000 households nationwide, with restoration efforts hampered by sub-zero temperatures. The International Energy Agency warned that continued targeting could leave Ukraine with only 50% of its pre-war power capacity by spring 2026.

Ballistic Threats Test Defences

Returning to the December 27 attack, Russian missiles began impacting Kyiv around 4:30 AM. Witnesses described a sky lit by interceptor missiles, with ground-shaking blasts in districts including Solomianskyi and Sviatoshynskyi. Ukraine’s State Emergency Service deployed 15 fire brigades to douse fires in struck buildings.

Preliminary military assessments indicate at least five ballistic missile impacts, supplemented by drone decoys. Air defence units, bolstered by Western-supplied Patriot and NASAMS systems, neutralised most threats, though fragments damaged vehicles and windows. No official death toll has been released, but Kyiv’s military administration reported 12 injuries from falling debris.

The operation echoes the October 2022 “energy war,” when Russia systematically targeted power plants, leaving millions without electricity. Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War note that recent strikes coincide with Ukrainian advances in Kursk region, suggesting a retaliatory motive.

Stalled Talks and Military Developments

These offensives occur against a backdrop of faltering peace negotiations. Talks in Geneva on December 22 collapsed over Russia’s insistence on territorial concessions, while Istanbul mediators reported progress on a Black Sea grain corridor revival. Zelenskyy has appealed for accelerated US and EU arms deliveries, including additional F-16 jets.

Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed all strikes hit “military-industrial targets,” denying civilian intent. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated: “Our operations are precise and lawful under international norms.”

Since February 2022, the war has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced 6 million Ukrainians. Recent months have seen Russian gains in Donetsk, offset by Ukraine’s incursion into Kursk oblast in August 2025.

Food Security and Diplomatic Stakes

The attacks threaten global supply chains. Ukraine, a leading exporter of wheat and sunflower oil, has seen Black Sea shipments halve since November due to port strikes. India, which imported 2.5 million tonnes of Ukrainian wheat in 2024, faces renewed inflationary pressures – reminiscent of 2022’s 20% food price surge.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs stated on Friday: “We urge all parties to exercise restraint and return to dialogue.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated his “not an era of war” stance during a virtual BRICS summit address.

European nations have pledged €5 billion in emergency energy aid to Ukraine. The UN Security Council will convene an emergency session on Monday at Kyiv’s request.

As the situation evolves, updates will follow.

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