Russia conducted its largest aerial assault on Ukraine so far this year, striking Kyiv and Kharkiv just hours after the first trilateral peace negotiations involving the US began in Abu Dhabi, with control over the Donbas region being a critical point of contention.
The attacks, which occurred overnight on January 24, 2026, involved more than 370 drones and 21 missiles, primarily targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure during a severe winter cold snap. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported one fatality and four injuries, with debris causing fires and damaging buildings, leaving nearly 6,000 apartment blocks without heat. In Kharkiv, strikes hit a maternity hospital and a dormitory for displaced people, wounding at least 19 individuals, including a child.
These hostilities unfolded shortly after delegations from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States concluded their initial day of talks in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The meeting marked the first known trilateral engagement since the war began nearly four years ago. Russia’s team included top military intelligence figures, while Ukraine sent key negotiators, and the US was represented by envoys from President Donald Trump’s administration, such as Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
The discussions are centered on territorial disputes, particularly the mineral-rich Donbas region in eastern Ukraine. Russia has long demanded that Kyiv relinquish control over the parts of Donbas still under Ukrainian authority, a condition Ukraine has consistently rejected. The Trump administration has been pressuring Ukraine to accept a peace deal, raising concerns that any agreement might disproportionately favor Moscow.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that the attacks focused on critical energy sectors, exacerbating humanitarian challenges in freezing temperatures. He described the talks as preliminary, stating it was too early to draw conclusions but underscoring Ukraine’s clear position for a dignified peace. Ukraine’s chief negotiator, Rustem Umerov, noted that the meeting aimed at a lasting resolution and thanked the US for mediation, with additional sessions scheduled.
The timing of the assaults, coinciding with diplomatic efforts, highlights the fragile nature of the peace process. Analysts suggest that Russia’s military actions may be intended to strengthen its bargaining position, particularly regarding Donbas, which holds strategic economic and symbolic value. The region has been a flashpoint since 2014, with Russia currently occupying about 20% of Ukraine’s internationally recognized territory, including most of Luhansk and parts of Donetsk.
As talks resume, the international community watches closely, with implications for regional stability and global security. The outcome could shape the future of Ukraine’s sovereignty and set precedents for conflict resolution in similar disputes. For now, civilians in affected areas face ongoing peril, with recovery efforts hampered by the scale of the attacks and harsh winter conditions.
