Russia has launched an early morning air attack on Kyiv, just days after a US-led round of peace talks in Miami aimed at ending the almost four-year conflict.
Ukraine’s military warned residents to remain in shelters as air defences worked to intercept incoming threats, while Poland and NATO scrambled aircraft to secure nearby airspace.
The attack underscores the fragile nature of the ongoing peace efforts and the continuing tensions across Eastern Europe.
What Happened During the Early Morning Attack on Kyiv?
Early on Tuesday, Ukraine’s military reported that Russian forces launched an air attack targeting the capital city, Kyiv.
The Kyiv Military Administration posted on Telegram: “Air defence forces are working to eliminate the threat in the sky over the capital. Residents are advised to remain in shelters until the all-clear is announced.”
Officials have not immediately disclosed casualty figures or the full extent of the damage. The attack comes just days after a US-led round of peace talks concluded in Miami on Sunday.
The city’s air defences remain on high alert. Residents often respond by taking cover in designated shelters, a routine precaution in Ukraine’s ongoing conflict.
Why Did Poland Scramble Aircraft Following the Attacks?
Polish and allied NATO aircraft were deployed on Tuesday morning after Russian strikes targeted western Ukraine near the Polish border.
The Polish Armed Forces’ operational command said on X (formerly Twitter): “Fighter jets were scrambled, and ground-based air-defence and radar reconnaissance systems were put on heightened readiness.
These measures are preventive and aim to protect the airspace, especially in areas adjacent to the threatened regions.”
The Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces has announced that fighter aircraft with the Polish and Allied Air Forces have been scrambled in response to the ongoing Russian drone and missile attack against Western Ukraine, with ground-based air defense systems as well… https://t.co/xgQoMQjfAL pic.twitter.com/Gjs0YmyECl
— OrangeCryptoTech (@OrangeCryptoTec) December 23, 2025
This defensive move highlights the heightened tensions across Europe, as Poland shares a long border with Ukraine and is a frontline NATO member.
What Do the Latest Peace Talks Mean for Ukraine and Russia?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the recent US-led peace talks as “quite solid”, but cautioned that compromises will be necessary.
He said: “There are some things we are probably not ready for, and I’m sure there are things the Russians are not ready for either.”
While the talks aim to find a diplomatic resolution after almost four years of war, Zelensky acknowledged that neither side is likely to get everything it wants.
Draft proposals from US officials reportedly meet several of Kyiv’s key demands, but the details remain closely held.
Any breakthrough could influence European energy markets and security arrangements, including NATO’s posture in Eastern Europe.
How Does This Fit Into the Wider Conflict?
The air attack is part of a series of recent escalations:
- On Monday, a car bomb killed a Russian general, the third such killing of a senior officer in just over a year. Investigators suspect Ukraine may be behind the attack.
- Monday evening saw a Russian drone strike on Ukraine’s Black Sea port of Odesa, continuing a pattern of targeted attacks on strategic locations.
- Tuesday’s early morning air strike on Kyiv demonstrates that the conflict remains volatile, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.
