Russia resumes strikes on Ukraine after Trump's negotiated pause end

Tuesday 03 February 2026 - 07:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Russia resumes strikes on Ukraine after Trump's negotiated pause end

Russian missiles and drones targeted Ukrainian cities overnight from February 2 to 3, striking energy infrastructure across multiple regions just after a short truce brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump expired. The assaults left hundreds of thousands without heat during the winter's coldest night, with temperatures dropping to -20°C. Strikes hit Kiev, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Sumy, and Odesa, sparking fires and widespread damage mere days before scheduled trilateral peace talks in Abu Dhabi on February 4 and 5.

The renewed offensive followed Russian President Vladimir Putin's agreement to a limited suspension of attacks on Ukrainian urban areas at Trump's personal request. The Kremlin specified the pause would end on February 1, paving the way for the barrage that ensued.

In Kharkiv, Mayor Ihor Terekhov described a dire humanitarian crisis after Russian forces hammered the city's energy grid for over three hours. Damage to one of its largest thermal power plants forced officials to drain heating fluid from 820 residential buildings to prevent pipes from freezing. "These strikes deliberately target energy infrastructure, aiming to maximize destruction and leave the city without heat in freezing conditions," Terekhov stated on Telegram. The city activated 101 "invincibility points" for residents to warm up and charge devices.

Kiev faced intense barrages as well, with damage reported in five districts, including a kindergarten set ablaze and several apartment buildings hit. At least three people suffered injuries, according to Tymur Tkachenko, head of the capital's military administration. Witnesses recounted multiple explosions after midnight from incoming missiles and drones. Ukraine's air defenses downed 157 of 171 drones and one ballistic missile, the Air Force reported.

Diplomatic momentum persists amid the violence. The attacks came hours after Trump told reporters from the Oval Office that he anticipated "good news" from ongoing peace efforts. "I think we're making very good progress with Ukraine and Russia. This is the first time I've said that," he remarked. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the Abu Dhabi talks would proceed as planned. "Ukraine is ready for substantive discussions, and we want outcomes that bring us closer to a real and just end to the war," he posted on X.

Ukraine's largest private energy firm, DTEK, described its operations as in "survival mode." CEO Maxim Timchenko told CNN that two of its five thermal plants are offline, with the remaining three at reduced capacity. The company lost 12 employees on February 1 when a Russian drone struck a bus carrying coal miners returning from a shift in Dnipropetrovsk.