In a devastating overnight assault, Russian missile strikes killed six individuals, including two children, and left 17 injured in and around Kyiv, Ukrainian authorities confirmed on Wednesday. The attack also targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, plunging thousands into darkness and cutting off heating during the harsh winter season. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strikes, stating on social media that they underscored Russia’s lack of urgency to end the protracted conflict. The bombardment followed the cancellation of a planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, which was intended to address the nearly four-year war. Trump had initially proposed peace talks in Budapest but later shelved the plans, citing concerns over their potential futility. Meanwhile, Ukraine remains steadfast in its refusal to cede territory, a stance supported by its European allies, who advocate for freezing the conflict along current frontlines. Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, claims its actions are aimed at demilitarizing the country and curbing NATO expansion. However, Kyiv and its allies denounce the war as an illegal land grab, responsible for tens of thousands of casualties and widespread devastation. As of now, Russia occupies approximately one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, much of it scarred by relentless fighting.