Overview
- Russia conducted its most powerful nationwide strike of the year overnight, with Ukraine reporting 71 missiles and 450 drones targeting energy and transport hubs.
- Air defenses intercepted 38 missiles and 412 drones, yet outages left more than a thousand buildings in Kyiv and over 100,000 households in Kharkiv without heat in sub‑zero temperatures.
- The assault followed a short pause Moscow said would last until February 1 at President Donald Trump’s request, as NATO’s Mark Rutte questioned Russia’s interest in peace.
- President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine, Russia and the United States will meet in Abu Dhabi on February 4–5, with territorial control in Donetsk the main sticking point.
- Recent attacks also killed civilians, including at least 12 people in a bus strike near Pavlograd and injuries at a Zaporizhzhia maternity facility, while ISW data indicate Russia gained about 481 km² in January.