Multiple explosions rocked Kyiv in the early hours of Thursday, February 26, 2026, as Russia launched a wave of attacks utilizing drones and ballistic missiles, according to Ukrainian military officials. The attacks came shortly before scheduled talks between Ukrainian representatives and the United States in Geneva, Switzerland.
Tymur Tkačenko, head of the Kyiv Military Administration, reported the attacks began overnight and urged residents to seek shelter. “The enemy is attacking the city with drones and ballistic missiles,” he stated on Telegram, adding, “Air defense is active. Stay in shelters until the alarm is lifted!”
Further east, the city of Kharkiv also experienced explosions, with Mayor Ihor Terechov advising citizens to remain in bomb shelters as drones and missiles approached. Reports also emerged of attacks in the Zaporizhzhia region, where Ivan Fedorov, the head of the regional military administration, confirmed at least one person was injured.
In Kryvyi Rih, a Russian strike ignited a fire that destroyed a high-rise building, and an 89-year-traditional man sustained injuries, local authorities reported. The attacks follow the expiration of a short-lived ceasefire reportedly agreed upon by U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which Ukraine claims was violated even while in effect.
According to reports from February 3, 2026, Trump announced Putin’s agreement to halt attacks on Kyiv and other cities during the cold weather, but the Kremlin clarified the ceasefire would only last until Sunday. Ukrainian officials maintain that attacks continued throughout the agreed-upon period. On that date, Tkačenko reported a “massive strike” on Kyiv “in the frosty winter,” and confirmed two injuries.
Synehubov, a regional official, stated the attacks on Kharkiv were aimed at causing maximum damage to the energy infrastructure. The attacks on Kyiv and Kharkiv also reportedly targeted energy infrastructure, leaving hundreds of homes without heat as temperatures plummeted below -20°C.
The recent escalation in hostilities follows a period of temporary respite, but the resumption of attacks underscores the ongoing conflict and the challenges facing Ukraine as it seeks to maintain essential services during the harsh winter months. As of this report, no official statement has been released regarding a response from the United States or a revised schedule for the planned talks in Geneva.
