“Rockets hit not only people but also negotiations”: Ukraine under massive fire amid attempts at dialogue

The night attack by Russia on Ukraine coincided with diplomatic contacts in Abu Dhabi and became a direct signal: strikes are being carried out not only on cities but also on the negotiation process itself. This was stated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sybiha, commenting on the shelling on the night of January 24, 2026.

According to the Foreign Minister, “the missiles hit not only Ukrainians but also the negotiation table.” The statement came after one of the most massive combined attacks in recent weeks — dozens of missiles and hundreds of drones were launched on Ukrainian territory, including the capital and major cities.

The minister emphasized that Russia continues a genocidal war against the civilian population, committing war crimes and crimes against humanity. “Peace efforts? A trilateral meeting in the UAE? Diplomacy? For Ukrainians, it was another night of terror,” he wrote.

Strike on Kyiv and the region

The main direction of the attack was Kyiv and the Kyiv region. According to the mayor Vitaliy Klitschko, one person died in the capital, four others were injured, three of whom were hospitalized.

Due to damage to critical infrastructure, almost 6,000 residential buildings were left without heating again. This includes houses that had already been reconnected twice after the shelling on January 9 and 20. There were disruptions in electricity and water supply, and the movement of trains on the green metro line between the banks of the city was temporarily suspended.

In the Kyiv region, four people were injured. In the Brovary and Boryspil districts, private houses and cars were damaged, with injuries of varying severity recorded.

Kharkiv under “Shaheds”

In Kharkiv, Russian troops attacked the city with drones for almost two and a half hours. According to the mayor Ihor Terekhov, hits were recorded in residential areas — apartments in high-rise buildings were on fire, a dormitory with displaced persons, a hospital, and a maternity hospital were damaged.

Nineteen people were injured, including a pregnant woman and a child. According to the head of the Kharkiv Regional State Administration Oleh Syniehubov, one of the injured — a 74-year-old woman — had an acute stress reaction, and another pregnant woman required medical assistance.

Chernihiv — almost complete blackout

In Chernihiv, the attack on energy facilities led to almost complete power outages in the city. Equipment was damaged, leaving hundreds of thousands of consumers without electricity. Energy workers are working on restoration, but the timing directly depends on the security situation.

What exactly Russia attacked with

According to the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, on the night of January 24, Russia used 396 air attack means, including Zircon missiles, Kh-22/Kh-32, Iskander-M, guided aviation missiles, and 375 Shahed-type strike drones and other modifications. The main strike was on Kyiv and the region. Air defense forces destroyed or suppressed 372 targets.

Political context

The attack occurred against the backdrop of trilateral negotiations between Ukraine, the USA, and Russia in Abu Dhabi, which are being mediated by the UAE. Ukrainian leadership emphasizes: the timing of the strike was not accidental.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky stated that each such energy shelling proves the need to accelerate the supply of air defense systems. “You cannot respond with pauses. You need to respond with strength,” he emphasized.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine concludes: the night shelling clearly shows Moscow’s real attitude towards diplomacy. Missiles and drones become an argument instead of negotiations, and the dialogue itself is used as a backdrop for pressure and terror.

It is in this context that the statements of the Ukrainian authorities sound harsh and without diplomatic euphemisms: the place of the initiator of the war is not at the negotiating table, but before an international tribunal. This signal is addressed not only to Moscow but to everyone who continues to seek compromises where strikes on peaceful cities continue — and it is recorded by NAnews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency.