Ukraine's capital Kyiv came under a large-scale missile and drone attack overnight on December 27, with multiple explosions reported across the city and surrounding regions, one day ahead of a meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as diplomatic efforts continue to end the four-year-long war.
The White House on Thursday stated that United States President Donald Trump is 'extremely frustrated' with both Russia and Ukraine over the slow progress toward ending the ongoing war and is unwilling to engage in 'meetings just for the sake of meeting'.
The official, speaking as US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll held talks with Russian representatives in Abu Dhabi, said, "The Ukrainians have agreed to the peace deal. There are some minor details to be sorted out but they have agreed to a peace deal."
United States President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that his special envoy Steve Witkoff would be visiting Moscow next week to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, with Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner might going with Witkoff too.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a phone call this past week with United States President Donald Trump, demanded that Kyiv surrender full control of Donetsk, a strategically vital region in eastern Ukraine, as a condition for ending the war, said two senior officials familiar with the conversation, the Washington Post reported.
In a statement on X, Zelenskyy said emergency services were working around the clock to address the aftermath of the attacks, which included over 800 drones and 13 missiles, four of which were ballistic.
After Ukraine made significant military gains in the east and south of the country, taking back areas held by Russia during the nearly eighth month-long war, Russia struck back on Sunday with a brutal flurry of missile strikes at residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that India remains committed to making every possible contribution for an early and peaceful solution to the conflict. Zelenskyy sought India's support in limiting Russian energy exports.
Glimpses from around the world that will make you smile and cry.
The military conflict around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine -- Europe's largest nuclear plant -- has raised fears of an accident worse than the Chernobyl accident in 1986.
Zaporizhzhia power plant spokesperson Andrey Tuz said the plant has not sustained any critical damage, although only one power generation unit out of six is operational as the fire continued at the facility.
Acting Mayor of Zaporizhzhia Anatoly Kurtev said that in the attack, five houses were destroyed and apartment buildings were damaged, CNN reported.
'We need to be very vigilant as we are passing through some fraught times.'
In 2024, Russia made only modest territorial gains, controlling about 18% of Ukraine, while suffering massive casualties and equipment losses.
India has abstained in the UN General Assembly on a resolution that demanded that Russia immediately cease its aggression against Ukraine and urgently withdraw its military and other unauthorised personnel from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
'Parents are forced to provide their children to Russian re-education camps in occupied territories and in different parts of Russia, for example, in Chechnya, where Ukrainian children wearing military uniform are taught to use weapons.'
'Trump administration wanted a positive tone at this summit, but there was still some anxiety that there could be some awkward moments -- and there were not.'
Binil T B, an electrician from Thrissur, left for Russia seven months ago, hoping to secure a better job and higher wages while his wife was expecting their first child.
With the fight now having been taken to the seizure of nuclear plants, it is one more warning to Europe that this prolonged war could end up with disastrous consequences, observes Rashme Sehgal
Ukraine has rejected Putin's demand and termed it a 'complete sham' and 'offensive to common sense'.
Russia loses appeal against IOC ban
Russia says IOC decision to ban Russian athletes from Olympic parade unjust
In the reprisal attacks, several missiles struck the city of Kharkiv with two children among those injured, the Ukrainian military said.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attends a ceremony to mark the start of the school year in Irpin.
A baby was killed when a Russian missile struck a maternity hospital in Vilniansk, Zaporizhzhia region.
How will Russian athletes be cleared to compete at Paris 2024?
Ukraine Foreign Minister said Dmytro Kuleba claimed that the Russian army is firing from all sides upon Zaporizhzhia NPP.
A burning wheat field. Ukrainian soldiers fire a howitzer at Russian positions. A residential building destroyed by a Russian strike... Glimpses of the latest from Ukraine.
Thursday's ruling does not affect any decision on Russian and Belarusian athletes' participation at the Paris 2024 Olympics which the IOC will take at a later date.
Zaporizhzhia residents queue at the local administration office to receive iodine tablets in the city's eastern Khortytskyi district as fears of a nuclear accident at Europe's largest nuclear power plant remain high.
'If he were to drop even one nuclear weapon on Europe, it would start a nuclear war that would destroy everybody.'
Maksym Bordus, who was born in 2000, had signed up to fight for the Ukrainian army on the first day of Russia's full-scale invasion in February last year.
A total of 447 bodies was exhumed from the gravesite, including 22 soldiers and 5 children.
Latest satellite images issued by United States company Maxar revealed that Russian forces are getting ready for a massive offensive in the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday and asserted that there can be no military solution to the Ukraine conflict, while also underlining that endangerment of nuclear facilities could have catastrophic consequences.
According to one newspaper report, Tu-95 strategic bombers fired the missiles from the Caspian Sea, located more than 1,000 miles from the Ukrainian capital.
Glimpses of the devastation caused by Putin's War.
Musk refuted the report, saying he spoke to Putin only once.
Russia has increased its attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure as winter looms.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances