As diplomatic efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine were underway in Abu Dhabi, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a massive missile strike against the country’s two largest cities, Kyiv and Kharkiv. The attack, which hit not only civilian targets but also the “negotiation table” itself, has been condemned by Ukraine’s Foreign Minister as a cynical and barbaric act.
According to Andrii Sybiha, the strike came as delegations from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States were meeting in the United Arab Emirates to advance the American-led peace process. Sybiha accused Putin of ordering the brutal missile barrage “right while delegations are meeting in Abu Dhabi to advance the America-led peace process.”
The strike, which involved dozens of ballistic and air-launched missiles as well as hundreds of drones, resulted in the death of at least one person and left 23 others injured. Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia had launched 375 drones and 21 missiles during the attack, once again targeting the country’s critical energy infrastructure and leaving large parts of the capital without power and heat.
Sybiha’s statement left no ambiguity about Ukraine’s view of the timing and nature of the attack, describing it as a “cynical” and “barbaric” act that proves Putin’s place “is not at the board of peace, but at the dock of the special tribunal.”
The strike came as a stark contrast to the ongoing diplomatic efforts, with Sybiha lamenting that “Peace effort? Trilateral meeting in the UAE? Diplomacy? For Ukrainians, this was another night of Russian terror.”
The missile barrage is the latest in a series of attacks that have targeted Ukraine’s infrastructure, leaving millions without access to basic services such as electricity and heating. The continued strikes have raised concerns about the viability of the peace talks and the willingness of the Russian leadership to engage in meaningful negotiations.
As the international community continues to condemn Russia’s actions and support Ukraine, the country’s leaders have made it clear that they will not be deterred from their pursuit of a peaceful resolution to the conflict, even in the face of such brazen and devastating attacks.
