Russia has resumed its strikes on Kyiv, intensifying the ongoing conflict as freezing temperatures grip the region. This escalation follows a brief truce that was announced by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who initially reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to halt strikes in Kyiv and other towns during the current cold weather.
While the Kremlin indicated that the ceasefire would last until Sunday, it did not explicitly connect the pause in hostilities to the severe weather conditions. Ukrainian officials, however, have claimed that Moscow continued its military actions despite the supposed truce.
On Tuesday morning, Kyiv’s military administration reported that the city endured a significant assault overnight, with Tymur Tkachenko stating that Russian forces launched a “massive strike” during the bitter cold. Following the overnight attacks, emergency services confirmed that three individuals had sustained injuries in Kyiv.
Further north in Kharkiv, regional military chief Oleg Synegubov reported casualties as well, noting that two people were wounded due to Russian shelling. The targeted strikes largely aimed at energy infrastructure, resulting in substantial damage and a conscious attempt to disrupt heating services in a bid to “cause maximum destruction” amid the severe frost. Authorities were compelled to cut heating to over 800 homes to protect the broader network from freezing, urging citizens to seek warmth at designated “invincibility points” scattered across the city.
Temperatures in Kyiv dropped to as low as -17 degrees Celsius (1.4 degrees Fahrenheit), while Kharkiv faced temperatures as harsh as -23 degrees Celsius (−9.4 degrees Fahrenheit), compounding the challenges faced by residents during these assaults.
As the conflict nears its four-year mark on February 24, U.S. officials continue attempts to mediate a peace settlement between the two nations. However, recent trilateral talks held in Abu Dhabi have failed to yield substantial progress, and a new round of discussions is set to take place soon.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently expressed that a perceived “de-escalation” with Russia may foster trust in negotiations, particularly highlighting a recent pause in attacks on energy facilities. Nevertheless, territorial disputes remain a major point of contention, with both sides showing little inclination to compromise. Russia is pressing for full control of Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, a demand that Kyiv has firmly rejected, arguing that acquiescing to such pressure would only serve to embolden Moscow.
Since the onset of the invasion, Russian forces have faced significant resistance from Ukrainian defenses, after their initial attempts to swiftly capture Kyiv and topple its government failed in 2022. Current efforts from Moscow have turned into a protracted campaign, resulting in substantial losses on both sides. Notably, Russian troops accelerated their territorial gains in January, reportedly capturing nearly double the land compared to the previous month, according to data analyzed by the Institute for the Study of War. The total areas taken in January amounted to 481 square kilometers (186 square miles), reflecting one of the most significant advances recorded during a winter month since the invasion began.
