Russia launched a major overnight attack on multiple Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, utilizing drones and missiles, Ukrainian officials reported. The assault, which injured at least four people in the capital, came just one day before planned peace talks aimed at resolving the four-year-old conflict, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The strikes targeted civilian infrastructure across Kyiv, impacting residential buildings, a pre-school facility, and administrative buildings, officials stated. The attack prompted residents to seek shelter in metro stations, which have been repurposed as bomb shelters.
President Zelenskyy condemned the attacks as a violation of commitments to halt strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. He also commented on the continuation of peace talks, though details of those discussions remain limited.
The assault follows a period of relative calm in Russian strikes, and represents a significant escalation in hostilities. According to reports, Russia’s Vostok forces have claimed operational control of key Ukrainian defense points.
While President Zelenskyy has stated Ukraine is prepared for elections, he emphasized that a ceasefire is a prerequisite for holding a democratic vote, citing security concerns. He dismissed suggestions of holding elections on the anniversary of the full-scale invasion, deeming it inappropriate. This position appears to be a response to pressure from the United States and claims from both the Kremlin and the White House regarding his democratic mandate.
Norway’s top military official has warned of the possibility of a future Russian invasion, citing concerns over nuclear assets stationed in the far north. Meanwhile, three-way peace talks involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States have stalled, with no immediate breakthrough anticipated.
Recent reports indicate that 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in the war with Russia, according to President Zelenskyy, with a significantly larger number officially listed as missing. Russia has also resumed strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, causing widespread power outages.
The Ukrainian government and Russia exchanged prisoners on February 6, 2026, returning 157 Ukrainians and 160 Russians, but the exchange occurred without a broader diplomatic breakthrough. The last prisoner swap took place in October 2025.
