Russia launches large-scale ballistic missile and drone attack on Kyiv as peace talks take place in the UAE

Russia launched a large-scale combined attack on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, overnight, deploying waves of drones and ballistic missiles in a sustained assault that lasted for hours.

The strikes included attacks on the city’s energy infrastructure. As of the morning of Jan. 24, large parts of Kyiv were facing disruptions to electricity, water and heating supplies. Public transport was also affected, with metro schedules altered — a major blow to the city’s primary transit system.

According to the Kyiv City Council, at least one person was killed and four others were injured.

Residential houses, apartment buildings, a medical facility and an office building were damaged in the strikes.

Russia used hundreds of Shahed drones alongside cruise and ballistic missiles. The attack included Kh-22 missiles, as well as Zircon hypersonic missiles, which Russia uses only rarely.

The timing was notable: the strike on Kyiv came as trilateral talks involving the United States, Ukraine and Russia were underway in the United Arab Emirates, focused on a potential ceasefire.

Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, was also targeted. Around 30 Shahed drones hit the city, injuring 14 people, including one child.

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