“The Russia wants to end hostilities as soon as possible and through negotiations,” stated Vladimir Putin, according to Vatican News. Despite these words, a massive wave of Russian drone and missile activity has struck Ukraine, targeting civilian infrastructure and strategic transit points in the capital. Other strikes hit multi-story residential buildings in Sumy and Kramatorsk, as well as the regions of Poltava, Kiev, Odessa, Kharkiv, Rivne and Dnipropetrovsk. In the Kharkiv region, Russian drones killed two people in the Bogodukhiv district.
President Volodymyr Zelensky reported an attack involving more than 100 drones, nearly 50 of which were jet-powered. The strikes hit the Pivdennyi (South Bridge) over the Dnipro river in Kyiv, which is now closed to traffic, and a 25-story residential building in the Darnytskyi district, leaving one person dead and two injured. Shahed drones repeatedly targeted the South Bridge, including attacks during daylight hours. This infrastructure is a strategic artery for those exiting the city toward the west.
Allegations of War Crimes and Strategic Isolation
President Zelensky denounced the strikes on civilian targets as an attempt to “paralyze the city,” preventing children from attending school and adults from reaching work. Citing intelligence reports, Zelensky claimed that Putin has ordered military commanders to “abandon the rules of war” to increase attacks on civilians and force residents to leave the capital. This is mirrored by reports from the New York Times, which state the Kremlin has ordered the abandonment of war rules to target civilian infrastructure without restraint. Zelensky added that Moscow has wanted residents to leave the city since the start of the full-scale invasion.
The impact on Kyiv has been severe, with metro lines blocked and residents spending extended periods in shelters. A recent study suggests only 77 high-protection centers exist among more than 4,000 certified sites, many of which are privately owned, with a total capacity for just over 50,000 people. The city is described as half-empty, with classes moved online and few pedestrians on the streets because Russia has increasingly attacked during the day in recent weeks.
Russia Prepares Largest Campaign Against Energy Sector
According to the New York Times, Russia is preparing its largest campaign against the Ukrainian energy sector, potentially launching 1,000 missiles at power plants, substations, and water facilities. This strategy reportedly aims to force the closure of Ukraine’s three operational nuclear power plants by hitting the distribution substations. In response, Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal presented a plan to European allies in Paris two weeks ago to mitigate such a crisis.
Meanwhile, Ukraine launched drone attacks against “industrial plants” in Volgograd, southern Russia.
Diplomacy Remains Stalled Amid Financial Pressures
Diplomacy remains stalled, and Putin has described American proposals as difficult, though he maintains the door is open for negotiation. At the Valdai Club, the Russian leader stated that Moscow would respond with all available means if there were a direct attack, while asserting that Russia does not intend to attack anyone. The Pope’s special envoy for humanitarian issues has returned from his third mission in Russia. In Odessa, Russian forces targeted an industrial complex at the port of Izmail on the Black Sea.
However, financial pressures remain high; total war costs are expected to reach $155 billion this year, with Kyiv seeking to fill a $27 billion funding gap to sustain operations into early 2027. The Russian government’s draft federal budget for 2027-2029 shows that the GDP deficit ratio has nearly doubled this year due to soaring military spending.
The conflict continues as the Nobel Peace Prize winner Matvijčuk warned that “Putin will not stop,” suggesting the Russian leader uses negotiations merely to gain time.
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