Russian attacks on Kyiv and Kharkiv killed at least one person and wounded 15 others, causing mounting property damage as eastern territory disputes continued to dominate negotiations. The strikes on residential areas resulted in extensive destruction while territorial issues remained unresolved.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko warned residents that the capital faced a “massive enemy attack,” directing them to seek immediate shelter. The bombardment hit residential buildings, causing casualties and significant property damage. Heat and water services were disrupted in multiple districts, affecting thousands of residents during winter conditions.
Mayor Igor Terekhov reported that Kharkiv experienced attacks from Iranian-made Shahed drones, which damaged several residential complexes and caused mounting property damage. The drone strikes highlighted Russia’s continued use of Iranian military technology against civilian targets. The northeastern city has faced relentless bombardment throughout the war.
In Abu Dhabi, negotiators from Russia, Ukraine, and the United States engaged in talks, but eastern territory disputes remained the central obstacle. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated that Ukrainian armed forces must withdraw from the Donbas, while Ukrainian officials insisted on maintaining territorial integrity. The UAE foreign ministry described the discussions as efforts “to promote dialogue and identify political solutions.”
President Zelensky suggested that peace proposals were approaching completion following his meeting with President Trump. He proposed creating a free trade zone in eastern Ukraine under Kyiv’s control as an alternative to territorial concessions. President Putin engaged separately with Trump’s envoys, while all parties navigated the challenging eastern territory disputes.
