Missile attacks struck across Ukraine on Saturday, wounding at least nine people and damaging critical energy infrastructure as Kyiv and Moscow prepared for fresh negotiations backed by the United States. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Russia deployed 36 missiles and 172 drones against Kyiv and 12 other regions, leaving air defenses overwhelmed as only four of the incoming projectiles were intercepted.
The overnight bombardment struck homes, commercial properties, and a partially destroyed kindergarten in the capital, triggering extensive power and water outages. National and city authorities confirmed that the strikes damaged networks carrying electricity from nuclear power plants to central regions. Outages were heaviest in the Kyiv and central Zhytomyr regions, as well as the eastern territories of Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Dnipropetrovsk.
I held a coordination call on the aftermath of Russia’s attack and recovery efforts after the strikes. In tonight’s attack, Russia used 36 missiles approaching their targets along a ballistic trajectory. Only four missiles were taken down. Unfortunately, there is still a… pic.twitter.com/U9no0hbXeY
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko described the energy situation as extremely difficult, affecting heating and water supply systems across the city. The attacks also prompted transportation officials to close the 892-yard-long Northern Bridge, a vital transit route connecting the capital’s center to large residential areas on the east bank of the Dnipro River. Russia’s Ministry of Defense confirmed targeting the crossing, stating it facilitated the transport of military hardware for Ukraine’s armed forces. Klitschko later noted that repair work on the bridge had already begun and water pressure had stabilized.
Advanced Weaponry and Diplomatic Strains Ahead of Abu Dhabi Talks
Zelenskyy stated during the aftermath of the raids that preliminary findings at one energy facility indicated Russia used KN-23 missiles manufactured and supplied by North Korea, calling for significantly strengthened global sanctions. Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported hitting an industrial facility producing Flamingo missiles, along with an electrical substation in the Zhytomyr region and munitions plants in the wider Kyiv area.
Russia is preparing for trilateral talks by launching ballistic missiles at Ukraine’s critical infrastructure. Repair and rescue operations are underway in the affected regions wherever the security situation allows. In total, the Russians used 172 drones and 36 ballistic… pic.twitter.com/tWWK0Vs9K7
The latest barrage comes ahead of trilateral talks scheduled for Tuesday in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Negotiators from Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S. are set to convene for discussions aimed at ending the war, marking the fourth round brokered by the Trump administration following previous meetings in Geneva in February. Western governments backing the diplomatic initiative continue to seek a framework to break the current territorial and security impasse.
“Russia has a very particular view of diplomacy – as a subtype of aggression,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media. “We hope that the United States, like our other partners, will act on principle.”
Recovery and Retaliation Across the Front Lines
Across the border, Russian regional authorities reported heavy drone activity overnight. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that air defense forces shot down 411 Ukrainian drones over 10 regions, including Belgorod, Crimea, and the Black and Azov Seas. A drone strike in the Belgorod town of Grayvoron killed one person after hitting a private home, while regional officials in Saratov and Oryol confirmed that civilian infrastructure and industrial facilities, including an oil refinery and a military component plant, sustained damage from falling debris and fires.
