Deadly Russian Strikes in Ukraine Challenge Trump's Claim of Weather-Related Ceasefire

Russian forces carried out lethal strikes in Ukraine overnight, contradicting US President Donald Trump's statement that Moscow had agreed to pause attacks during severe cold.

A drone strike struck a bus carrying mine workers, killing 12 people, while a separate attack hit a maternity hospital and wounded six. The strikes come after earlier assaults on energy infrastructure that have left millions without electricity or heating.

Humanitarian Concerns as Temperatures Plummet

With forecasts predicting temperatures as low as -20°C (-4°F) this week, the loss of power and heating raises urgent humanitarian risks for civilians across affected regions. Emergency services and relief agencies face increasing challenges delivering assistance as winter conditions worsen.

Political Fallout

President Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to an aerial ceasefire, but the Kremlin has not publicly confirmed any such arrangement. The discrepancy has prompted questions about the status and reliability of the claimed pause in hostilities.

Diplomacy and Territorial Demands

Peace talks involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States are due to resume in the UAE this week. Kyiv has indicated it is unlikely to accede to Russia's demands for additional territorial concessions, suggesting negotiations will remain difficult and that diplomatic progress is uncertain.

Key facts: 12 civilians killed in a drone strike on a bus; maternity hospital hit with six injured; millions face power and heating outages; ceasefire claim unconfirmed by the Kremlin; talks in the UAE continue amid deep disagreement over territory.