Russia Launches Massive Air Assault Amid US-Led Peace Talks

Following peace negotiations in Miami, Vladimir Putin ordered a massive aerial campaign against Ukraine on December 23, 2025. Russia deployed over 635 drones and 38 missiles, including hypersonic Kinzhal missiles, across 13 regions. The strikes killed at least three people, including a four-year-old child in Zhytomyr, and caused widespread power outages in freezing temperatures by targeting energy infrastructure and thermal power stations. In Odesa, strikes hit port infrastructure and a merchant ship, while Kharkiv's energy grid was forced into "energy island" mode after a thermal plant was hit.

Ukraine responded with deep-strike operations and sabotage. The Security Service of Ukraine and military intelligence destroyed fighter jets at Lipetsk and Belbek airfields and targeted the Tamanneftegaz oil terminal in Krasnodar. Ukrainian drones also hit a Lukoil platform in the Caspian Sea and a petrochemical plant in Stavropol. On the ground, Ukrainian forces withdrew from Siversk in the Donetsk region to preserve personnel, leaving Russian troops approximately 30 km from the strategic hub of Sloviansk.

Diplomatically, the United States hosted talks in Miami to broker a 20-point peace plan. While U.S. officials described progress, Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that territorial control of the Donbas and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant remain contested. Russia continues to demand the cession of the Donetsk region. Adding to the crisis, Russian forces conducted a cross-border raid in the Sumy region, abducting 52 civilians and 13 soldiers. Pope Leo expressed sadness over Russia's refusal of a Christmas ceasefire, urging a day of peace.