Putin 'Cynically' Ordered Strikes Amid US-Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks, Says Kyiv

Last Updated:January 24, 2026, 17:46 IST

Andrii Sybiha condemned Putin for air strikes on Kyiv and Kharkiv during Abu Dhabi peace talks, leaving residents without power and causing casualties.

Ukraine Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha (PTI)

Ukrainian foreign minister has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of “cynically" ordering a massive strike during the peace talks by Russia, Ukraine, and the US in Abu Dhabi.

“This barbaric attack once again proves that Putin’s place is not at the board of peace, but at the dock of the special tribunal," Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote on X.

According to Reuters, Russia had launched waves of air strikes against Ukraine’s two largest cities, Kyiv and Kharkiv, early on Saturday, with one person killed and at least 23 injured. The Ukrainian air force said Russia launched 375 drones and 21 missiles in the strikes, which targeted energy infrastructure.

Deputy PM said about 800,000 people in Kyiv — where temperatures were around -10 Celsius — were left without power in the latest attack.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said one person was killed in the attack and four others were injured, three of whom were taken to the hospital.

In Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, 19 people — including a child — were wounded.

The strikes came as US-brokered talks involving Russia and Ukraine continued for a second day in the United Arab Emirates, though there were no signs of progress on Friday.

Ahead of the talks, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated that Russia has not dropped its insistence on Ukraine yielding all of its eastern area of Donbas.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has demanded Ukraine to surrender the 20% it still holds of Donetsk — about 5,000 sq km (1,900 sq miles). This has proven a major stumbling block to any deal as Ukraine has refused to give up the land.

Reuters quoted Russia stating that it wants a diplomatic solution but will keep working to achieve its goals by military means as long as a negotiated solution remains elusive.

News world Putin 'Cynically' Ordered Strikes Amid US-Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks, Says Kyiv

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