In a stark escalation despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv came under missile and drone attack in the early hours of Saturday, 27 December 2025. The assault prompted neighbouring Poland to scramble fighter jets and temporarily close two of its southeastern airports.
Air Raids and Border Alerts
The Ukrainian air force reported explosions in Kyiv, with an air raid alert remaining in effect for approximately four hours. Attacks also targeted regions in northeast and south Ukraine. While there were no immediate reports of damage or power cuts, the incident underscored the continued volatility.
In response to the Russian strikes, the Polish armed forces launched fighter jets, leading to the temporary closure of Rzeszow and Lublin airports. This defensive move highlights the conflict's direct impact on NATO's eastern flank.
Diplomatic Push Amidst Conflict
The violence comes just ahead of a critical meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy, scheduled for Sunday in Florida. The leaders are set to discuss a revised 20-point peace plan, which President Zelenskyy stated is "about 90% ready".
In a notable pre-meeting comment, President Trump asserted that Zelenskyy "doesn't have anything until I approve it", signalling the US's pivotal role in any future settlement. President Zelenskyy has expressed openness to putting a final plan to a national referendum, contingent on Russia agreeing to a 60-day ceasefire to allow for the vote.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will join a call with both leaders on Saturday, alongside other European figures. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also confirmed continued coordination with French and German leaders to "achieve a lasting peace".
Military Developments and Strategic Strikes
On the battlefield, Ukraine confirmed it used UK-supplied Storm Shadow cruise missiles to strike the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in Russia's Rostov region. A firefighter was wounded during the firefighting efforts. These long-range strikes target Russia's crucial oil export revenue.
Conversely, Russia claimed to have downed seven Storm Shadow missiles over the past week. Russian overnight drone strikes also damaged several civilian vessels in Ukrainian Black Sea ports.
In a significant strategic move, researchers from the Middlebury Institute and CNA organisation report that Russia is likely stationing its new nuclear-capable Oreshnik hypersonic missiles at a former airbase in eastern Belarus. While Vladimir Putin had announced the intention, the exact location was previously unknown. Experts warn this deployment extends Russia's threat range deeper into Europe.
As diplomatic channels hum with activity, the situation on the ground remains intensely hostile, with Russian forces reportedly taking control of the settlement of Kosivstseve in the Zaporizhzhia region. The path to peace, as outlined in the proposed plans, faces the immense hurdle of reconciling Ukraine's territorial integrity with Moscow's entrenched positions.
