Russia strikes Kyiv and Kharkiv as US-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi end without a deal, with more negotiations expected

Russia launched a major wave of missile and drone attacks on Ukraine’s largest cities as US-brokered negotiations involving Ukraine and Russia continued in Abu Dhabi, according to multiple reports. The strikes hit Kyiv and Kharkiv, damaging infrastructure and leaving large numbers of residents without power and heating during severe winter conditions. Ukrainian officials described the timing as a deliberate attempt to undermine diplomacy, while the talks proceeded despite the bombardment.

In Kyiv, officials reported at least one death and numerous injuries, and described broad disruption to residential buildings and critical services. In Kharkiv, local authorities said multiple drones struck populated areas and sensitive facilities, including medical sites, leading to injuries and fear among residents already living under frequent attack. Across the country, estimates cited in reporting said more than a million customers lost power, with temperatures well below freezing amplifying the risks for civilians.

The talks in Abu Dhabi represent rare face-to-face engagement connected to a US-led effort to define parameters for ending the war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Coverage described territory as a central issue, with Ukrainian leaders emphasizing sovereignty and security guarantees while Russia continues to press its demands. Even without a breakthrough, officials on multiple sides suggested the discussions were detailed and structured enough to justify continuing.

According to a Reuters account carried by international outlets, the second day of talks ended without a deal, but with another round expected the following weekend. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the core focus remained possible parameters for ending the war, and post-talk statements did not announce any concrete agreements. Still, the continuation itself was framed as a sign that channels of communication have not collapsed, even as fighting continues unabated.

The strikes underscore the central challenge facing the negotiating process: diplomacy is unfolding alongside active, high-intensity attacks that degrade Ukraine’s energy system and disrupt civilian life. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly argued that any viable agreement must include measures that protect cities and infrastructure from further bombardment, including strengthened air defense and enforceable monitoring. Russia’s continued pressure on the ground and from the air is widely interpreted as an attempt to influence leverage at the table.

With another meeting expected, attention will focus on whether the parties can narrow gaps on territory, security guarantees, and enforcement mechanisms. For Ukrainians, the urgency is immediate: as winter deepens, each outage compounds hardship, and each strike increases the political and practical costs of protracted talks without concrete relief. The next sessions in Abu Dhabi will be judged not only by diplomatic language, but by whether any steps emerge that reduce attacks and stabilize the situation for civilians.