Two killed as Russia hammers Ukraine before Trump-Zelenskyy meeting

On 27 December 2025 Russian ballistic missiles and hundreds of drones attacked Kyiv and surrounding areas during an air alert lasting nearly 10 hours. Officials reported at least two dead (a 71-year-old man in Kyiv’s Dniprovskyi district and another person in Bila Tserka) and at least 32 wounded in Kyiv, including two children. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said about 500 drones and 40 missiles targeted energy facilities and civilian infrastructure. Energy firm DTEK reported power was cut to more than a million homes and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said one-third of Kyiv had no heat amid near-freezing temperatures. The strikes occurred on the eve of a planned meeting between Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump. Russian state sources also claimed capture of towns on other fronts (Myrnohrad and Huliaipole), while Ukrainian military reports said attacks were repelled in those areas. International leaders reiterated support for Ukraine and additional aid was announced by Canada.