Russia Strikes Kyiv and 12 Regions, Killing Two as Peace Hopes Fade

Russia bombarded Kyiv with ballistic missiles overnight, killing at least two people and wounding dozens, while Moscow claimed its air defenses intercepted 808 Ukrainian drones targeting Russian cities, dampening hopes for peace progress. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the attack showed no real change in Moscow's attitude. The Russian strikes hit 12 Ukrainian regions, including 21 ballistic missiles in three waves on Kyiv, damaging apartment buildings, energy facilities, a railway station, and the subway system. One person died in Kyiv, and another was killed in Kharkiv, where 13 were wounded. Putin agreed "in principle" to resume three-way talks with Ukraine and the U.S., but no date was set. The escalation comes as Ukrainians brace for winter, with Russia targeting the power grid in what Kyiv calls "weaponizing winter." Zelenskyy has pleaded for more Patriot ammunition and sanctions, but Trump agreed to import Russian diesel and waived heavy sanctions. The five-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion is Feb. 24.