Ahead of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s meeting with US President Donald Trump on Sunday in Florida, Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine came under heavy Russian missile and drone attack on Saturday.
In a post on X, Zelenskyy said Russian missiles, including Kinzhals and Shahed drones, have been attacking Kyiv.
“The primary target is Kyiv – energy facilities and civilian infrastructure. Regrettably, there have been hits, and ordinary residential buildings have been damaged,” Zelenskyy said.
Authorities said two people were killed in Kyiv and the surrounding region, while at least 46 people were wounded, including two children.
The Russian attacks have cast doubts on the success of the talks between Zelenskyy and Trump on Sunday.
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On Friday, Zelenskyy had expressed confidence about finalising the peace deal during his meeting with Trump.
‘Russia not interested in ending war’
On Saturday, the Ukrainian leader said the drone and missile attacks are Russian signals that they are not interested in peace.
“Russian representatives engage in lengthy talks, but in reality, Kinzhals and “shaheds” speak for them. This is the true attitude of Putin and his inner circle. They do not want to end the war and seek to use every opportunity to cause Ukraine even greater suffering and increase their pressure on others around the world,” Zelenskyy said.
He also suggested that if Russia continues to carry out such attacks, it should be met with a response using US and European weapons.
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“If Russia turns even the Christmas and New Year period into a time of destroyed homes and burned apartments, of ruined power plants, then this sick activity can only be responded to with truly strong steps. The United States has this capability. Europe has this capability. Many of our partners have this capability. The key is to use it,” he said.
Another Russian attack is still ongoing: since last night, there have been almost 500 drones – a large number of “shaheds” – as well as 40 missiles, including Kinzhals. The primary target is Kyiv – energy facilities and civilian infrastructure. Regrettably, there have been hits,… pic.twitter.com/OxBntAUgla
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 27, 2025
Trump-Zelenskyy meet
Earlier, Zelenskyy said Sunday’s talks in Florida would focus on security guarantees and territorial control once fighting ends.
Zelenskyy said the shape of US security guarantees was crucial, and these would depend on Trump, and “what he is ready to give, when he is ready to give it, and for how long.”
Zelenskyy told Axios earlier this week that the US had offered a 15-year deal on security guarantees, subject to renewal, but Kyiv wanted a longer agreement with legally binding provisions to guard against further Russian aggression.
Zelenskyy even said that he was ready for a referendum if Russia agreed to a 60-day ceasefire.
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What Russia wants in ceasefire deal
Moscow is demanding that Ukraine withdraw from a large, densely urbanised chunk of the eastern region of Donetsk that Russian troops have failed to occupy in nearly four years of war. Kyiv wants the fighting halted at the current lines.
Under a US compromise, a free economic zone would be set up if Ukrainian troops pull back from parts of the Donetsk region, though details have yet to be worked out.
Trump said he believed Sunday’s meeting would go well. He also said he expected to speak with Putin “soon, as much as I want.”
