The attacks reportedly killed at least two people and caused widespread disruptions to electricity and heating supplies across several districts of Kyiv.
Halifax [Canada], December 28, 2025, BNN Web Staff: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Halifax on Saturday during a brief stopover before his scheduled meeting with US President Donald Trump in Florida, as Russia unleashed renewed drone and missile attacks on Kyiv overnight.
Zelenskyy reached Canada a day before his high-stakes discussions in the United States, against the backdrop of one of the most intense aerial offensives on the Ukrainian capital in recent weeks.
The attacks reportedly killed at least two people and caused widespread disruptions to electricity and heating supplies across several districts of Kyiv.
After the meeting, Zelenskyy took to X to express gratitude to Canada for its continued support, particularly in strengthening Ukraine’s air defence capabilities. He noted that Russia had dismissed proposals for a Christmas ceasefire and instead escalated missile and drone assaults, underscoring, in his words, Moscow’s lack of commitment to diplomacy.
Zelenskyy said sustained international assistance and increased pressure on Russia were essential, welcoming Canada’s announcement of a new aid package for Ukraine. Prime Minister Carney, speaking alongside the Ukrainian leader, said a just and lasting peace would only be possible if Russia showed genuine intent to negotiate.
Condemning the overnight attacks, Carney said the violence highlighted the urgency of standing firmly with Ukraine. He announced USD 1.82 billion in fresh economic assistance, stating that the funding would help mobilise international financing and support Ukraine’s long-term reconstruction and recovery.
Detailing the scale of the latest strikes, Zelenskyy said nearly 500 drones, including large numbers of Shahed drones, along with around 40 missiles — some of them Kinzhal hypersonic missiles — were launched by Russian forces. He said energy installations and civilian infrastructure in Kyiv were the primary targets, with residential buildings also sustaining damage.
Rescue operations were continuing, with emergency services searching for people trapped under rubble. Power and heating outages persisted in several areas, while firefighting and repair crews were forced to pause work during ongoing air raid alerts. The renewed attacks have placed additional strain on Ukraine’s already vulnerable power grid as harsh winter conditions continue.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Kyiv of lacking urgency in pursuing a negotiated settlement. According to Russian state media, Putin said Moscow would continue its military objectives if Ukraine remained unwilling to resolve the conflict through talks.
Amid intensifying hostilities and ongoing international mediation efforts, Zelenskyy is engaged in high-level diplomacy aimed at ending the nearly four-year-long war. He is scheduled to meet President Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Sunday, where discussions are expected to focus on a proposed 20-point peace plan and possible US security guarantees.
Earlier, Zelenskyy said Ukraine and the United States were working on a comprehensive reconstruction framework, with projected costs estimated between USD 700 billion and USD 800 billion.
He said the discussions include a long-term vision extending to 2040, covering investment, economic growth, job creation, security arrangements, refugee returns, and Ukraine’s path towards European Union membership.
