As U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky are set to meet on the 28th (local time) to discuss a cease-fire plan, Russia launched a large-scale airstrike on Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital.
According to Reuters, AFP and others on the 27th (local time), large explosions occurred early that morning in several parts of Kyiv.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko wrote on Telegram that after a Russian missile attack the country's air defenses were operating and advised residents to move to shelters.
The Ukraine Air Force also issued a nationwide air-raid alert that day. The scale of Russia's strike and the scope of resulting damage had not yet been specifically confirmed.
The Russian strike came just before the meeting between President Trump and President Zelensky. The two presidents will meet in the United States on the 28th to discuss a cease-fire plan for the Russia-Ukraine war.
On the territorial issue, the most important agenda item in the cease-fire talks, Russia is demanding that Ukraine withdraw its troops completely from Donetsk in the east and cede territory in the Donbas region. Ukraine, on the other hand, wants to halt fighting along the current front line.