Russia’s overnight barrage hit Ukraine at a politically sensitive moment. While U.S. officials are preparing for a renewed diplomatic push in Geneva, Moscow has escalated its long-range strikes once again, targeting civilian infrastructure and homes in what Ukrainian authorities described as a “calculated pressure tactic” ahead of the talks. The attacks left families displaced, neighbourhoods in ruins and emergency crews scrambling through the night.

Ukrainian emergency services confirmed that three people were killed in Kyiv after a missile struck a cluster of apartment buildings on the outskirts of the capital, igniting multiple fires and cutting power to hundreds of homes. Another three were killed in the Sumy region, where Russian drones and missiles hit an energy substation and a nearby residential block. Local officials reported dozens of injuries across both regions and warned that casualty figures may rise as rescue workers continue clearing debris.

Residents described one of the most intense nighttime bombardments in recent weeks. Sirens sounded across Kyiv around 2 a.m., followed by a series of explosions that rattled the capital. Firefighters battled flames in sub-zero temperatures, while medics evacuated survivors from collapsing structures. Ukrainian officials said Russia used a combination of ballistic missiles and Iranian-designed drones, continuing a pattern intended to overload air defence systems.

The renewed strikes came as U.S. diplomats convened in Europe to brief allies on Washington’s latest proposal for a political settlement to the war. The plan, previously described by President Donald Trump as “not my final offer”, has already sparked debate across Kyiv and among NATO partners. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly rejected elements of the proposal, arguing that it would force Ukraine to choose between sovereignty and territorial concessions.

For Kyiv, Russia’s timing is clear. The Kremlin has a long record of escalating military pressure during diplomatic negotiations, using battlefield dynamics to strengthen its position at the table. Ukrainian officials told local media the latest strikes were designed to “undermine confidence” in U.S. efforts and test Ukraine’s air defence capacity ahead of winter, when energy infrastructure becomes especially vulnerable.

The attacks also highlight a growing strategic challenge. Russia has intensified its campaign against Ukraine’s power grid ahead of freezing temperatures, aiming to weaken civilian morale and stretch emergency resources. The strikes in Sumy knocked out power in parts of the region and left several towns running on backup generators. Kyiv officials warned that rolling blackouts could resume in the coming days if the grid remains under sustained attack.

Washington condemned the strikes, calling them “another example of Russia’s deliberate targeting of civilians”. European leaders echoed the criticism, with some urging the U.S. to harden its position rather than compromise. Germany’s foreign ministry described the attack as “a brutal reminder that any peace deal must be forged from strength, not fatigue”.

For ordinary Ukrainians, however, geopolitical maneuvering feels distant compared to the nightly fear of incoming missiles. Kyiv residents who survived the strikes described the blast pressure blowing out windows and sending debris through living rooms. One witness told local TV that the explosion “felt like the entire building lifted off the ground for a second”.

The timing has also complicated humanitarian operations. Winter shelters that reopened this week are already near capacity, and local authorities are preparing for another influx of families displaced by the strikes. Aid groups have called for additional international support as temperatures drop and energy supply becomes increasingly unstable.

Diplomatically, the U.S. proposal remains the most serious attempt at negotiations in months, but the gap between Kyiv and Washington is significant. Zelenskyy insists that any settlement must guarantee Ukraine’s territorial integrity and future security, while Russia continues to demand recognition of its claimed annexations. Analysts say neither side appears ready for meaningful concessions despite the escalating pressure.

For now, Ukraine is bracing for more attacks. Military officials warned that Russia may intensify strikes in the coming weeks, particularly targeting power facilities in central and eastern regions. Air defence units have been repositioned to protect critical infrastructure, but shortages of interceptors remain a persistent challenge.

As the Geneva talks draw closer, both the military and diplomatic fronts appear set for a turbulent phase. The overnight strikes underscore the reality that the war is far from winding down, regardless of international negotiations. And for the families in Kyiv and Sumy who lost loved ones overnight, hopes for peace feel increasingly distant.