Russia launches major strikes on Kyiv and Kharkiv as U.S.-led talks continue
Ukraine said Russia hit Kyiv and Kharkiv with drones and missiles as negotiators met in Abu Dhabi, underscoring the tension between battlefield escalation and diplomacy.
Russia launched a large-scale drone and missile attack on Ukraine’s two biggest cities, Kyiv and Kharkiv, as U.S.-led tripartite discussions involving Ukrainian, Russian and American negotiators continued in Abu Dhabi, according to reporting published on January 24, 2026. Ukrainian officials portrayed the timing as a deliberate attempt to undermine diplomacy, while the negotiations pressed on with cautious language about possible next rounds.
The Guardian reported that at least one person was killed and at least 15 were wounded in the strikes, with significant damage to infrastructure and residential areas. The report described widespread outages and service disruptions, a recurring theme in winter as both sides target energy networks that become more critical when temperatures plunge.
Ukrainian leaders and diplomats framed the attack as evidence that Moscow is not negotiating in good faith, while also signaling that Kyiv would continue engaging through U.S.-mediated channels. The talks, described as constructive by some participants, appeared focused on broad pathways to reduce violence and on contentious territorial questions, including the future of eastern regions that remain a central point of dispute.
The juxtaposition of high-intensity strikes with ongoing negotiations reinforced how difficult it can be to translate diplomatic contact into immediate battlefield restraint. Even limited progress—such as agreeing to meet again—can be eclipsed by overnight attacks that harden public opinion, raise pressure on leaders, and complicate any attempt to build a ceasefire sequence.
Ukraine has repeatedly argued that any credible de-escalation would require enforceable mechanisms, while Russia has continued to pursue military aims alongside sporadic diplomatic engagement. The Guardian noted that cynicism remains widespread in Kyiv about Moscow’s intentions, especially as air raids persist during dialogue.
- Kyiv and Kharkiv: struck amid talks, producing injuries, damage and further strain on winter infrastructure.
- Abu Dhabi talks: continued despite the strikes, with discussion of follow-up meetings.
- Core issue: the conflict’s end-state, including disputed eastern territories, remains unresolved.