Kyiv, Feb 27: Russia launched a massive overnight assault on Ukraine, firing 420 drones and 39 missiles, including 11 ballistic missiles, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday.
The strikes hit critical infrastructure and residential areas across eight regions, injuring dozens of people, including children.
Authorities have not yet released a confirmed total of casualties.
The attack came as US and Ukrainian officials prepared for further talks in Geneva aimed at ending the nearly five-year war.
Zelenskyy said he spoke by phone with US President Donald Trump, thanking him for his efforts to advance peace negotiations.
US-brokered diplomacy between Kyiv and Moscow remains stalled, particularly over territory claimed by Russia.
Zelenskyy has proposed a face-to-face summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, arguing it could unlock progress, but the Kremlin has rejected the idea beyond inviting him to Moscow, an offer Zelenskyy declined.
Trump’s envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, were scheduled to meet Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, after also participating in Trump’s call with Zelenskyy.
The discussions are expected to focus on postwar recovery planning and preparations for a possible trilateral meeting with Russian officials, potentially next week.
Zelenskyy also tasked Umerov with raising the issue of a prisoner exchange.
Russia said it returned 1,000 bodies of fallen Ukrainian soldiers and received 35 of its own in exchange, though details on timing were not disclosed.
Ukrainian authorities confirmed the return of bodies believed to belong to Ukrainian defenders.
Zelenskyy said Ukrainian air defenses intercepted most of the incoming missiles, crediting Western partners for supplying additional interceptors.
Ukraine continues to rely on foreign military assistance to counter Russia’s larger forces.
Meanwhile, Russia reported downing 17 Ukrainian drones overnight.
Ukrainian long-range drones have increasingly targeted Russian oil facilities and military infrastructure deep inside Russia.