At least one person died and 15 were injured as Russian forces attacked Kyiv and Kharkiv, prompting mayors to warn residents to shelter while international mediators convened in Abu Dhabi. The strikes on residential areas highlighted the urgent need for the diplomatic discussions to succeed.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko alerted Kyiv residents that the capital was “under a massive enemy attack,” directing people to seek immediate shelter. The strikes targeted residential buildings, resulting in casualties and significant property damage. Heat and water infrastructure was disrupted in multiple neighborhoods, affecting thousands of residents during winter conditions.
In Kharkiv, Mayor Igor Terekhov confirmed that Iranian-made Shahed drones were used to attack several residential complexes. The drone strikes caused widespread damage to civilian housing, demonstrating Russia’s continued reliance on Iranian military technology. The mayor coordinated emergency responses across the northeastern city.
Despite the violence, international mediators convened in Abu Dhabi where American, Russian, and Ukrainian representatives engaged in two-day talks. The UAE foreign ministry characterized the negotiations as focused on “promoting dialogue and identifying political solutions to the crisis.” The involvement of international mediators represented significant diplomatic engagement.
President Zelensky expressed cautious optimism following his meeting with President Trump, suggesting that peace proposals were approaching completion. He proposed establishing a free trade zone in eastern Ukraine under Ukrainian control, which he discussed with the American leader. President Putin engaged separately with Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, as all parties pursued diplomatic solutions.