Just a day ahead of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's meeting with US President Donald Trump, multiple explosions rocked capital Kyiv and surrounding
regions. Russian missiles and drones flew over Kyiv on late friday night, prompting authorities to issue nationwide air raid alerts. “Explosions in the capital. Air defense forces are operating. Stay in shelters!” Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko warned on Telegram, as air raid sirens blared across the city, AFP reported. Ukraine’s air force issued a nationwide alert early in the morning, warning that drones and missiles were flying over several regions, including Kyiv. “Kyiv, take cover! There is an attack UAV in the air over the city,” the Air Force said in one alert. Also Read: Ukraine Peace Soon? Zelenskyy Says 20-Point Plan Is '90% Ready' Ahead Of Big Meeting With Trump As per the report by Kyiv Independent, Russia carried out a coordinated attack using Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, Iskander ballistic missiles, Kalibr cruise missiles, and drones. Loud explosions were reported across central Kyiv and parts of Kyiv Oblast. The Ukrainian air force said drones were active over Kyiv and nearby areas, including Velyka Dymerka and regions west of Pereyaslav, while more drones were detected in the Chernihiv region heading toward Kyiv Oblast. In Brovary, northeast of the capital, the strikes caused power outages affecting nearby areas, the Kyiv Independent reported. Meanwhile, Poland has temporarily suspended two airports - Rzeszow and Lublin - after their army deployed fighter jets in response to escalating Russian missile and drone strikes on Ukraine.
The Trump-Zelenskyy Meet
The attack comes at a critical diplomatic moment, a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed he would meet former US President Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday to explore a negotiated end to the war, now nearing its fourth year. Speaking to reporters, Zelenskyy said the meeting could help advance talks but cautioned that no immediate breakthrough should be expected, CNN reported.
Zelenskyy added that a proposed 20-point peace plan developed by US and Ukrainian officials was “90 per cent ready” and that discussions would focus on long-term security guarantees for Ukraine and the role of its allies in post-war stability. Trump, however, said any agreement would require his approval, telling Politico, “He doesn't have anything until I approve it. So we'll see what he's got.”
Russia has accused Zelenskyy and his European allies of attempting to “torpedo” the US-brokered peace initiative. The 20-point plan reportedly includes freezing fighting along current front lines and establishing demilitarised buffer zones in parts of eastern Ukraine.
