• Russian drone strikes hit Kyiv and Kharkiv, killing at least one and injuring over 20.
• Air raid alerts were issued as military forces operated air defences in response.
• Attacks occurred during trilateral peace negotiations in the UAE aimed at ending the war.
• Ukrainian officials highlighted damage to buildings and disruptions in essential services.
• Negotiations feature critical issues, including troop withdrawal from eastern Ukraine.

Russian drone strikes targeted several districts in both Kyiv and Kharkiv late Friday and early Saturday, resulting in at least one death and more than 20 injuries. "Kyiv is under a massive enemy attack," warned Mayor Vitali Klitschko via Telegram, emphasizing the intensity of the assault and the warning against leaving shelters. The strikes caused fires in multiple locations and interrupted heat and water services in parts of the capital, according to Reuters and South China Morning Post.

In Kharkiv, the second-largest city, Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported that attacks from Iranian-made Shahed drones caused injuries to at least 19 individuals and damaged residential buildings, including hospitals. Over the night, military personnel implemented air defence operations in an attempt to mitigate damage, successfully intercepting numerous incoming threats, as confirmed by Ukrainian officials. Reports from Anadolu Agency and Reuters indicate that fire broke out in various parts of the affected cities due to drone debris.

The drone strikes occurred during a critical moment when negotiators from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States were engaged in discussions in Abu Dhabi aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict. President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the importance of these talks, stating that Ukraine's territorial concerns remain a central issue. "It's not just about Ukraine’s desire to end this war," he remarked, highlighting the need for an exchange of commitments from Russia, according to South China Morning Post and Anadolu Agency.