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Russia carried out a significant overnight strike on the industrial city of Kremenchuk, targeting essential water and heating infrastructure, Ukrainian officials said on Sunday. The assault came just as a Ukrainian delegation concluded three days of negotiations in Florida with advisers to US President Donald Trump, aimed at securing a long awaited agreement to end the war. The attack underscores the fragile and volatile backdrop against which peace talks are being held.
US Envoy Kellogg Says Ukraine Peace Deal Is “Really Close”
Outgoing US envoy Keith Kellogg announced that a peace agreement is now “really close,” with negotiations entering what he described as “the last 10 metres,” a stage he noted is always the most difficult. Speaking at the Reagan National Defense Forum, Kellogg said only two major issues remain unresolved.
The first concerns the future status of Ukraine’s Donbas region, one of the central flashpoints of the conflict. The second involves the fate of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest, which remains under Russian control.
Kellogg stressed that if both issues are settled, “the rest of the things will work out fairly well,” adding that negotiators are “really, really close” to finalising a framework for peace.
Kremlin Welcomes Softer Tone in New US National Security Strategy
In a move that could influence future negotiations, the Kremlin welcomed a revision of the US national security strategy that no longer labels Russia as a “direct threat.” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov praised the shift, describing it as a “positive step,” though he noted that Moscow would study the full document before drawing broader conclusions.
Since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its full scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Washington’s strategies have consistently designated Moscow as a major threat. The updated policy adopts a more measured tone, suggesting areas for limited cooperation.
China and Russia Hold Joint Anti Missile Drills
China’s defence ministry confirmed that Beijing and Moscow conducted their third joint anti missile drills on Russian territory in early December. According to the ministry, the exercises were not directed at any third party and were unrelated to any current geopolitical tensions.
The two nations have strengthened military ties in recent years, signing a “no limits” strategic partnership in 2022 and pledging regular joint exercises. Their collaboration has included talks on missile defence, strategic stability, and coordinated drills at sea.
Russia Claims to Have Downed 77 Ukrainian Drones Overnight
Russia’s defence ministry reported that its air defence systems destroyed 77 Ukrainian drones overnight. The drones were intercepted over seven regions in southern and central Russia, as well as over Russian annexed Crimea.
In the Rostov region, a power transmission tower was damaged, leaving around 250 residents without electricity, though no injuries were reported. Additional interceptions included 42 drones over the Saratov region and 12 over Rostov.
Russian Strike Cuts Utilities in Kremenchuk, Mayor Confirms
Kremenchuk’s mayor, Vitalii Maletskyi, said Russian forces launched a combined air strike targeting critical infrastructure, causing significant disruptions to power, water, and heating across the city. Kremenchuk, a major industrial hub on the Dnipro River, is home to one of Ukraine’s largest oil refineries and has been frequently targeted since the start of the war.
In his message, the mayor shared a photo showing a large fire engulfing what appeared to be industrial structures. He noted that a full assessment of the damage would be released later on Sunday and that emergency crews were working to restore essential services.
