Russia Launches Record Energy Strikes Amid Abu Dhabi Peace Talks
Russia launched its largest aerial assault of 2026 against Ukrainian energy infrastructure just as trilateral peace talks began in Abu Dhabi, ending a disputed humanitarian truce.
The Federal Government of Russia launched its most powerful aerial assault of 2026 on February 3, deploying approximately 450 drones and 71 missiles, including a record 32 ballistic missiles. The strikes targeted energy infrastructure across eight regions, including Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa, during a severe cold snap with temperatures dropping to -25°C. In Kyiv, over 1,100 apartment buildings lost heating, while a power plant in Kharkiv was damaged beyond repair. Other attacks killed 12 mine workers in Ternivka and seven civilians at a market in Druzhkivka.
The escalation followed a brief moratorium on energy strikes requested by U.S. President Donald Trump. While Trump asserted that Russian President Vladimir Putin "kept his word" on a truce running "Sunday to Sunday," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Moscow of using the pause to stockpile munitions for the assault. The Kremlin clarified that the pause only applied until February 1.
Despite the violence, senior officials from Russia, Ukraine, and the United States convened in Abu Dhabi on February 4 for a second round of peace talks. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who conducted a surprise visit to Kyiv during the strikes, described the attacks as a "really bad signal" regarding Russia's seriousness about peace. Negotiations remain stalled over territorial disputes, specifically Russia's demand for full control of the Donbas region. In response to the strikes, Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine would adjust the approach of its negotiating team.
