Russian forces have launched fresh attacks on Ukraine’s capital, shattering a brief truce as freezing temperatures grip the region and peace talks stall.
KYIV: Russia has resumed strikes on the Ukrainian capital, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
The attacks shattered a week-long truce announced by US President Donald Trump, which had already been violated according to Kyiv.
Trump stated last Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to halt strikes on Kyiv and other towns during cold weather.
The Kremlin said the truce would last until Sunday but did not explicitly link it to the subzero conditions.
Russia hit Kyiv “in the bitter cold with another massive strike” overnight, said Tymur Tkachenko, head of the city’s military administration.
He urged residents to stay in shelters and later reported two people were wounded.
In the eastern city of Kharkiv, regional military chief Oleg Synegubov said two people were wounded by Russian shelling.
He stated the hours-long attack targeted energy infrastructure to “cause maximum destruction… and leave the city without heat during severe frost”.
Authorities cut heating to more than 800 homes to prevent the wider network from freezing.
Synegubov urged people needing warmth to go to round-the-clock “invincibility points” around the city.
Overnight temperatures plunged to minus 17C in Kyiv and sank as low as minus 23C in Kharkiv.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will hit the four-year mark on February 24.
A second round of talks between Russian, Ukrainian and US officials is due to begin on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi.
Territory remains a key sticking point, with neither side showing willingness for compromise.
Russia demands full control of Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, a move Kyiv has ruled out.
Ukrainian officials argue such a concession would only embolden Moscow further.
