Russia targets Kyiv, Ukrainian cities with ballistic missiles as Moscow stalls on peace talks
Russia launched ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv and other cities in Ukraine as peace negotiations remain stalled, according to reports from the country's leaders.
On February 12, Russia conducted a significant missile strike targeting Kyiv and several other Ukrainian cities, coinciding with the ongoing deadlock in peace negotiations with Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky highlighted that Russia's refusal to engage in proposed peace talks by the United States exacerbates the situation. The Ukrainian Air Force detected incoming missiles targeting Kyiv around 2:20 a.m., which resulted in immediate security alerts and subsequent explosions reported by Kyiv Independent journalists on the ground.
Reports indicate that the missile strikes were closely followed by drone attacks, specifically the deployment of Shahed-type drones that further threatened the capital. Throughout the night, loud explosions and power outages were experienced across the capital city, reflecting the intensity of the assault. Moreover, cities such as Dnipro and Pavlohrad also faced danger as Russian missiles were reportedly directed toward these areas, raising alarms about the ongoing threat faced by Ukrainian civilians.
The implications of this attack are considerable, as it demonstrates Russia's continued aggression and its strategic move to undermine Kyiv's stability while negotiations remain stagnant. The Ukrainian government, led by Mayor Vitali Klitschko and President Zelensky, grapples with the dual challenge of managing military threats and the need for diplomatic resolutions, as the international community watches closely and calls for accountability in the ongoing conflict.