VIDEO | The moment a Russian kamikaze drone crashes into a block of flats and explodes in Kiev
Smoke rises above high-rise buildings in Kiev after a Russian missile and drone attack on Saturday, December 27, 2025. Photo credit: Ukrinform / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia
Russia attacked Kiev and other parts of Ukraine with hundreds of missiles and drones overnight, ahead of a crucial meeting between Volodymyr Zelenskiy and US President Donald Trump to reach an agreement to end the nearly four-year war, according to Reuters.
Zelenski described the massive nighttime attack, which he said involved about 500 drones and 40 missiles and cut off electricity and heat in parts of the capital, as Russia's response to ongoing peace efforts brokered by Washington.
The attack continued throughout the morning, and the nearly 10-hour air raid alert for the capital only ended at 11:20 a.m. local time. Authorities said one person was killed in the attack in the Kiev region and at least 19 people were injured in the capital, including two children.
“If Russia turns even the Christmas and New Year period into a time of destroyed houses and burned apartments, of ruined power plants, then this sick activity can be fought only with really strong measures,” Zelenskiy wrote on X, calling on the United States and Europe to put more pressure on Moscow.
Explosions rang out in Kiev since the early hours of the morning as Ukraine's air defense systems went into action. The air force said the Russian drones were targeting the capital and regions in the northeast and south.
Authorities said various locations in seven different districts of Kiev suffered damage and at least three high-rise apartment buildings were engulfed in flames.
The moment a kamikaze drone launched by the Russians entered a block of flats in the Ukrainian capital and exploded was captured in a video that was published on X.
Russian attack drones hit multiple residential buildings in Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, this morning.
Seen here, a Russian Shahed-136 slams into a tower block in the Pozniaky neighborhood. pic.twitter.com/KIHuHWjTlh
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) December 27, 2025
State grid operator Ukrenergo said power facilities across Ukraine, including in Kiev and the surrounding region, had been hit by Russia and that emergency power cuts had been implemented in the capital.
Ukraine's foreign minister said a third of Kiev was without heat due to the attacks, with temperatures hovering around 0 degrees Celsius on Saturday morning.
