A wave of powerful explosions tore through the silence of the Ukrainian capital on Saturday morning, December 27, 2025, as Russia launched what officials described as a “massive” and “intensified” missile and drone assault. The barrage, which triggered nationwide air alerts, appeared to be a calculated show of force by Moscow just days before a pivotal diplomatic breakthrough is attempted in the United States.
Kyiv Under Siege: “Stay in Shelters”
The sirens began wailing before dawn, followed quickly by the thunder of air defense systems.
- The Scale: Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed multiple blasts across several districts. Eyewitnesses reported bright orange flashes turning the horizon day-glow as interceptors met incoming projectiles.
- The Weaponry: Military Telegram channels reported the deployment of both cruise and ballistic missiles, a significant escalation in the complexity of the strike compared to recent drone-heavy attacks.
- The Damage: While full casualty figures are pending, municipal workers were already clearing debris from apartment buildings hit during a preliminary wave on Tuesday. Saturday’s strike is expected to have caused further infrastructure damage across the Kyiv region.
The Trump-Zelensky Summit: A 20-Point Plan
The timing of the strike is being viewed by analysts as “negotiation by fire.” President Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled to travel to Florida (widely expected to be Mar-a-Lago) on Sunday, December 28, for a face-to-face meeting with Donald Trump.
Status of the Peace Deal:
- “90% Ready”: Zelensky told reporters on Friday that a 20-point peace framework, coordinated with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, is nearly complete.
- Key Sticking Points: The meeting will focus on the final 10%, which includes security guarantees (Ukraine is pushing for a 15-year+ legally binding pact) and the status of the Donbas and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.
- Referendum: Zelensky has signaled he may put the final agreement—which could involve difficult territorial concessions or “free economic zones”—to a nationwide referendum, provided a 60-day ceasefire is secured first.
“We are not losing a single day. A lot can be decided before the New Year,” Zelensky posted on X, emphasizing the urgency of the diplomatic push.
Moscow’s Response: Resistance and Reach
While the Kremlin confirmed that foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov has been in contact with the Trump administration, their tone remains defiant.
- Territorial Demands: Moscow continues to insist that Ukraine relinquish the remaining portions of Donetsk and Luhansk it still holds.
- The “Trump Factor”: Donald Trump has remained cautious, telling Politico on Friday, “He [Zelensky] doesn’t have anything until I approve it. So we’ll see what he’s got.”