Rescuers put remains of a body of a victim into a plastic bag after Russian drone hit a multi-storey apartment building during massive missile and drone attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (AP Photo) Russia carried out missile and drone strikes on Kyiv on Saturday, killing one person and injuring at least 27, Ukrainian officials said. The attack began early in the morning and continued for several hours. Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 519 drones and 40 missiles.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said energy and civilian infrastructure in Kyiv was the main target. Some areas of the region lost electricity and heating.
Emergency services said more than 10 residential buildings were damaged. Fires broke out in several districts, and rescue teams worked at damaged sites.
Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said a body was found under the rubble of one building. Two children were among the injured, according to the head of the Kyiv Military Administration, Tymur Tkachenko.
Olena Karpenko, 52, said she heard a man “scream as he burned to death”. She said: “His scream is still in my ears. I can’t believe it.”
Russia’s statement
The Russian Defence Ministry said it carried out a “massive strike” using long-range precision weapons, including Kinzhal missiles and drones. It said it targeted energy facilities and military industries.
The ministry said the strikes were a response to Ukrainian attacks on “civilian objects” in Russia.
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Russian officials also reported drones shot down over several regions. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said air defences intercepted more than 20 drones near the capital. No damage or casualties were reported.
Claims of territorial gains
Russia’s military leaders told President Vladimir Putin that Russian forces had taken control of Myrnohrad in Donetsk and Huliaipole in Zaporizhzhia.
Ukraine rejected the claims. The Ukrainian General Staff said the statements were “not supported by facts”, adding that the situation in Huliaipole was “difficult, but the defensive operation is ongoing.”
Poland scrambled fighter jets and briefly closed two airports near the Ukraine border. Officials said Polish airspace was not violated, and airports later resumed operations.
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Zelenskyy-Trump meeting
President Zelenskyy is due to meet US President Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday for talks on ending the nearly four-year war.
Zelenskyy said he plans to discuss security guarantees and territorial issues in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia. He said, “This attack is Russia’s answer to our peace efforts. It shows that Putin does not want peace.”
Speaking to reporters, Zelenskyy said he wants “as few unresolved issues as possible” in the talks with Trump. He said security guarantees will be the priority.
He said the proposed plan includes US guarantees similar to NATO’s Article 5, meaning an attack on Ukraine would bring a joint response. He added that details still need to be agreed in a bilateral deal.
(With inputs from agencies)
