Russia launches massive drone and missile strike as Geneva talks yield no breakthrough

Russia launched a massive overnight assault on Ukraine, firing 420 drones and 39 missiles , including 11 ballistic missiles , across eight regions, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday. The strikes damaged energy infrastructure, railways, and residential areas in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Poltava and Dnipro , injuring at least 26 people, including children , and leaving tens of thousands without power. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted most of the attack with Western-supplied interceptors, highlighting Kyiv’s continued reliance on foreign military aid as the war enters its fifth year.

The assault coincided with two days of ‘difficult’ Ukraine talks in Geneva , involving Ukrainian negotiators led by Rustem Umerov and U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Discussions focused on postwar reconstruction, humanitarian issues including prisoner exchanges, and preparations for a trilateral meeting with Russia expected in early March . Despite intensive negotiations, officials confirmed that the talks ended with no breakthrough , with territorial disputes and core political disagreements remaining unresolved.

Previous trilateral talks earlier this month also concluded without progress, and Moscow continues to demand concessions that Ukraine rejects. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of continuing diplomatic engagement while defending Ukraine’s sovereignty, and U.S. officials stressed the need to maintain momentum toward a comprehensive peace framework.

Beyond diplomacy, Ukraine is expanding defensive measures, including anti-drone netting along thousands of kilometres of frontline roads , to protect troops and civilians from repeated aerial assaults. Switzerland announced a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas imports from April, reflecting broader European sanctions.

With civilian hardships mounting and critical infrastructure repeatedly targeted, the war shows no sign of ending soon, while Geneva negotiations continue cautiously, aiming to prepare for broader future talks with Russia.