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Russia’s Feb 25‑26 Missile‑Drone Barrage Hits Energy Grid, Triggers New Diplomatic Moves

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  • Ukrainian emergency services tackle a fire after Russian strikes on the Poltava region on February 26, 2026.
    Ukrainian emergency services tackle a fire after Russian strikes on the Poltava region on February 26, 2026.
    Image: Newsweek
    Ukrainian emergency services tackle a fire after Russian strikes on the Poltava region on February 26, 2026. Source Full size
  • Ukrainian emergency services tackle a fire after Russian strikes on the Poltava region on February 26, 2026.
    Ukrainian emergency services tackle a fire after Russian strikes on the Poltava region on February 26, 2026.
    Image: Newsweek
    Ukrainian emergency services tackle a fire after Russian strikes on the Poltava region on February 26, 2026. Source Full size

Massive Two‑Day Missile‑Drone Assault Cripples Power Infrastructure Ukraine’s air force logged 420 Shahed drones and 39 missiles—including Iskander‑M, Kh‑101 and Zirkon—launched on Feb 25‑26, striking substations in Kyiv, Dnipro, Poltava and other oblasts and leaving millions without electricity [1]. Ukrainian officials said most missiles were intercepted thanks to recent Western air‑defence aid, yet dozens of civilians, many children, were injured in the fallout [2]. President Zelensky later referenced “nearly 300 drones and 50 missiles” in his public briefing, a lower count that differs from the military tally [4]. The strikes also damaged gas infrastructure in Poltava and a Mondelez snack factory near Kyiv, expanding the civilian impact [2][4].

High‑Level Calls and NATO Response Follow Attack Zelensky spoke with former President Donald Trump on Feb 25, a call that also included U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, setting the stage for bilateral talks in Geneva [1][2]. The next day, Witkoff and Kushner met Ukrainian Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov in Geneva to discuss a “prosperity package” and economic support [1]. Poland responded by scrambling NATO fighter jets to the region, demonstrating allied readiness [2]. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov labeled the territorial disputes “complex” and reiterated Putin’s offer to meet Zelensky in Moscow, a proposal Kyiv rejected [2].

Emerging Drone Technologies and Supply Shifts Alter Battlefield On Feb 25 a Russian fiber‑optic FPV drone reached the northern outskirts of Kharkiv, striking a vehicle 21 km from the border and marking the first urban FPV attack recorded [1]. Ukrainian 3rd Army Corps commander Brigadier General Andriy Biletsky said Starlink outages since Feb 1 reduced Russian drone effectiveness by 20‑40 % [1]. After a May 2025 strike closed the Saransk plant, China’s optic‑fiber exports now supply Russia at prices 150 % higher than early‑2025 levels [1]. Russia also moved elements of the re‑formed 34th Artillery Division’s 68th Separate Command Battalion to the Kupyansk direction, hinting at a spring‑summer offensive [1].

Sabotage Campaign Expands to Rail, Water, and Foreign Arms Deals coordinated IED attack on Feb 22 destroyed a Lviv shopping centre, killing a police officer and injuring at least 25, with investigators linking the blast to Russian intelligence [3][4]. Subsequent strikes broadened to water‑supply and railway targets across Kyiv, Odesa, Kirovohrad and Poltava, aiming to destabilise civilian life [3]. Russia signed a €500 million deal to sell 500 Verba MANPADS and 2,500 9M336 SAMs to Iran, potentially delivering the systems before 2029 [3]. Limited Russian advances were reported near Slovyansk, including the seizure of Zakitne, though broader territorial gains remained modest [3].

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Timeline

Dec 23, 2025 – Russia launches 635 drones and 38 missiles in a large‑scale night‑time barrage, hitting homes and power grids across 13 regions, killing three civilians including a 4‑year‑old and causing widespread outages; Ukrainian air defenses down 587 drones and 34 missiles [22].

Dec 24, 2025 – Two Moscow police officers die in a blast near a police car while investigating a suspicious person, occurring days after a car bomb kills Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov [21].

Dec 25, 2025 – Russian forces strike civilian energy sites across Ukraine on Christmas, killing one in Odesa Oblast and igniting fires at fuel tanks and a refinery, while power outages threaten millions [20].

Dec 26, 2025 – Ukraine hits the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in Russia’s Rostov region with British‑supplied Storm Shadow cruise missiles, reporting explosions and ongoing damage assessments [19].

Dec 29, 2025 – Moscow alleges Ukraine launched a 91‑drone attack on President Putin’s residence in the Novgorod region, releasing video and drone data to the United States, while Kyiv dismisses the claim as fabricated [12].

Dec 30, 2025 – Former President Donald Trump tells reporters he is “very angry” about the alleged strike on Putin’s house, saying “I don’t like it, it’s not good” and that it crosses a line [17].

Dec 31, 2025 – Ukrainian UAVs strike a cafe and hotel in Khorly, Kherson, just before midnight, killing 24 civilians and injuring more than 50 [15].

Jan 2, 2026 – President Volodymyr Zelensky condemns a missile strike on Kharkiv as “heinous,” appoints General Kyrylo Budanov as chief of staff, and the new chief calls the role “an honor and a responsibility” [13].

Jan 5, 2026 – A Russian drone hits a Kyiv hospital, forcing evacuation of an inpatient unit; Zelensky reports 165 drones launched overnight, including 100 Shahed models [11].

Jan 9, 2026 – The U.S. embassy in Kyiv warns Americans of a possible significant air attack; Russia claims its Oreshnik ballistic missile struck Lviv in retaliation for a supposed Ukrainian drone strike on Putin’s residence [10].

Jan 27, 2026 – A Russian drone strikes a crowded passenger train in Kharkiv region, killing five; Zelensky labels the attack “purely terrorism” with no military justification [5].

Jan 28, 2026 – Ukrainian soldier Omar recounts how three drones hit the same train, how he ordered passengers to evacuate, and how a mother with an infant survives the blaze [4].

Jan 30, 2026 – Trump tells his cabinet that he asked Putin to halt attacks on Kyiv for a week because of the extreme cold and claims Putin agreed, while Zelensky calls the statement “important” for winter security [3].

Jan 31, 2026 – The Kremlin confirms it honored Trump’s request for a temporary pause on energy attacks, while Russian forces execute surrendered Ukrainian border guards, raising war‑crime concerns [29].

Feb 1, 2026 – Russian drones strike a maternity hospital in Zaporizhzhia, injuring six women in labor, and hit a DTEK miners’ bus in Ternivka, killing 12 and wounding 16; Ukraine credits SpaceX’s Starlink restrictions for limiting drone control [2][28].

Feb 2‑3, 2026 – After a brief moratorium, Russia resumes a massive missile‑drone assault on Ukraine’s power grid, launching 450 drones and 71 missiles—including a high share of ballistic missiles—causing heat outages for over 1,170 Kyiv high‑rise buildings and 200,000 Kharkiv consumers [27].

Feb 3, 2026 – Russia fires a record‑high barrage of more than 70 missiles and 450 drones at energy facilities in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa and other cities; NATO Secretary‑General urges allies to “dig deep in their stockpiles,” and Dutch PM Mark Rutte pledges “hard power” support as talks begin in Abu Dhabi [1][8].

Feb 4‑5, 2026 – The first round of three‑way Ukraine‑Russia‑U.S. peace talks opens in Abu Dhabi, with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and former President’s son‑in‑law Jared Kushner slated to attend [8].

Feb 5, 2026 – Ukrainian forces strike Russia’s Kapustin Yar test site with FP‑5 “Flamingo” cruise missiles, heavily damaging a hangar used for medium‑range ICBM preparation and forcing personnel evacuation [7].

Feb 6‑7, 2026 – Russia launches 408 drones and 39 missiles overnight, targeting high‑voltage substations and cutting power for about 600,000 customers; Ukrainian defenses down 382 drones and 24 missiles, yet 13 missiles and 21 drones hit 19 locations [26].

Feb 7, 2026 – GRU deputy chief Vladimir Alekseyev survives surgery after an assassination attempt; Zelensky confirms Ukraine will attend a U.S.‑sponsored meeting in the United States around Feb 12, while the United States pushes Kyiv toward a national peace‑referendum by May 2026 [26].

Feb 10, 2026 – The Institute for the Study of War reports that Russia has institutionalized civilian‑targeted FPV drone strikes, labeling the campaign a “coercive policy and crime” constituting crimes against humanity [6].

May 2026 (planned) – The United States urges Kyiv to hold a national referendum on a peace deal as early as May 2026, aiming for a March 2026 agreement, while the Kremlin continues to reject any cease‑fire that does not guarantee full Russian victory [26].

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