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A severe missile and drone strike from Moscow on Kyiv has led to the loss of two individuals and harm to 37 others, while disrupting power to the western half of the city, leaving over half a million residents in the dark.

Massive Assault Highlights the Country's Dependence on Western Support

Close to 600 unmanned aircraft and over three dozen missiles were launched at Ukraine in an offensive that Leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated highlighted the critical requirement for western assistance with air defence, along with financial and political backing.

"We must work without wasting a moment to ensure that there are enough projectiles for our defensive networks, and that everything necessary for our defense and for pressure on Russia is in place," Zelenskyy said.

Victims and Attack Waves Reported

Officials confirmed that a third person was fatally injured in the areas around the capital, with multiple phases of strikes audible across the city. The initial wave began at around midnight, followed by a subsequent one at approximately 7am, before an safe signal was given at close to mid-morning.

Kyiv's Retaliatory Strike on Moscow's Oil Refinery

Ukraine's military stated that it had struck the Afipsky oil refinery in southern Russia, a major facility in the area, causing a blaze at the location. This plant supplies fuel for aircraft and vehicles to Russian forces fighting in Ukraine.

Strategic Effort to Weaken Ukrainian Resistance

Moscow is engaged in a campaign to break Ukraine's civil resistance this cold season by attacking its power grid as the conflict approaches its fourth year. These strikes coincide with a series of prominent political figures being embroiled in a corruption scandal.

Political Turmoil and Resignations

Recently, Andriy Yermak, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's top aide, was compelled to step down after his apartment was inspected by anti-corruption officials probing a bribery operation. Two other ministers have already been fired, and the alleged architect of the plan, an old friend of Zelenskyy, has fled the country.

Zelenskyy announced that he would restructure the office of the president—previously managed by Yermak as a primary access point to the leader—amid speculation about who might lead it or how it could be reorganized.

Calls for Fresh Leadership and Diplomatic Challenges

An opposition MP called for the leader to name a former military chief, Ukraine's representative in Britain, to a prominent position. Liudmyla Buimister expressed in a social media post that "an individual respected by the armed forces, citizens and international partners is precisely what is required at this time."

Zaluzhnyi has been considered a potential rival to the president, though associates of the ambassador suggested they were uncertain he would agree if offered the role.

Negotiations and International Developments

The former chief of staff reportedly informed the press that he was "going to the front" and was "ready for any consequences," though it was unclear how he might serve the military. He added in a text message, "I consider myself an ethical and upright individual."

He headed the negotiating team over the recent weeks as Kyiv responded to a Moscow-friendly 28-point plan released by the White House. It called for that Ukraine leave Donetsk province and accept a broad pardon, and that the international community drop restrictions against Moscow.

Talks paused this week during the American celebration, but are anticipated to resume soon. A Ukrainian delegation headed by Rustem Umerov, secretary of the country’s national security council, has traveled to the U.S. capital, the president said.

Ukraine has presented a 19-point counter proposal, which has been shared with Moscow. In the coming days, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to visit in the Russian capital, though few expect a significant progress, since last week the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, described the Ukrainian leadership as invalid.

Weakened Situation and Economic Challenges

Kyiv's position is undermined by the corruption scandal, easily the most serious internal government issue of Zelenskyy’s presidency, while Moscow hopes that its ongoing strikes and a possible economic downturn for Ukraine will weaken its resolve.

The nation is anticipating that European Union officials will agree a €140bn loan backed by frozen Moscow funds to shore up its budget from next year, but resistance from a key EU member, where the majority of funds is held, has reduced expectations of reaching an agreement by the year's conclusion.