• Russian drone attacks have left thousands in Ukraine without power as peace negotiations continue.
• Two people were killed in a drone strike in Russia's Saratov region.
• Ukrainian President Zelenskyy claims Russia's actions aim to "inflict maximum pain" on Ukrainians.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported Saturday that Russian strikes on energy facilities have left thousands of Ukrainians without power, affecting regions including Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Odesa, and others, as U.S.-led peace talks press on. He claimed that over 450 drones and 30 missiles were used in these nighttime attacks, which damaged numerous civilian structures across Ukraine, including grain facilities in Odesa, where fires broke out, according to Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba. In response, Kyiv and its Western allies accused Russia of "weaponizing" the cold by attempting to cripple the nation's power grid, leaving residents with inadequate access to heat, light, and running water for a fourth consecutive winter, as noted by multiple sources including Indiatimes, SCMP, and Al Jazeera.

In a concerning turn of events, a Ukrainian drone strike in the southwestern Saratov region of Russia led to the deaths of two individuals, alongside damage to residential infrastructure including a kindergarten. Russian authorities reported that they had intercepted 41 drones overnight, but significant damage persisted in various Russian regions Los Angeles Times, ABC News, and CBS News.

The ongoing hostilities amidst peace negotiations suggest a stalemate, with Kremlin advisor Yuri Ushakov stating that Russian police and armed forces intend to maintain their positions in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region even if a peace deal is reached. This has raised tensions as Ukraine is expected to reject any post-war Russian military presence in the area, further complicating peace efforts led by the U.S. SCMP, Al Jazeera, and Los Angeles Times.

As discussions are set to continue between Germany and Ukraine, Zelenskyy’s focus appears to be on garnering support from European leaders while addressing the ongoing crisis. The U.S. and European allies are also engaged in negotiations to find potential compromises, particularly concerning territorial disputes, which remain one of the primary obstacles impeding progress towards a ceasefire Indiatimes, CBS News, and ABC News.