Ukraine war latest: Putin launches 'genocidal attack' on freezing Ukraine after energy truce, Kyiv says

We're hearing a little from NATO chief Mark Rutte now, who is visiting Kyiv and has been addressing Ukraine's parliament this morning.

The secretary-general of the alliance warned that reaching a peace deal to end the conflict will require tough choices.

It comes on the eve of a second round of trilateral peace talks between US, Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Abu Dhabi. 

The first round of talks last month were said to be constructive, but key issues still remain, including the question of who keeps Ukrainian land currently occupied by Russian forces.

The talks were due to be held at the weekend, but Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Sunday that they would be delayed. He said his country was ready for a "substantive discussion".

As the head of NATO visits Kyiv, Russia's defence ministry has confirmed its forces carried out a massive strike on Ukrainian military-industrial and energy facilities overnight, according to the Interfax news agency.

An attack on the capital's infrastructure left 1,170 high-rise buildings in the city without heat, mayor ⁠Vitali Klitschko said.

Ukraine's foreign affairs ministry said Moscow was "using the coldest days of winter to terrorise civilians", adding that it showed Kyiv need "timely deliveries of air missiles" from its partners.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has arrived in Kyiv for a previously unannounced visit, which will reportedly include talks with Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

There has been no official NATO announcement regarding the visit, but Zelenskyy posted a video to X of the pair visiting a memorial in the city.

Rutte is currently addressing the Ukrainian parliament, its live stream shows.

He is reportedly due to hold talks with Zelenskyy later today.

The NATO chief's visit comes hours after the latest Russian attack on the Ukrainian capital which injured at least five people and saw a fire erupt in a residential tower block.

Over 100 more generators have been issued across Ukraine in response to "incessant" attacks on its energy grid as it endures its most bitter winter of the war.

Temperatures in parts of the country have fallen further than -20C and constant Russian strikes have placed a major strain on services, with many people forced to shelter in emergency tents during power blackouts.

Children's charity UNICEF says it delivered 106 mid and large capacity generators across Ukraine to support water utilities and heating companies.

A further 149 generators will be released in the coming weeks, it said.

Munir Mammadzade, UNICEF representative to Ukraine, said children and families in Ukraine "are in constant survival mode right now".

"Parents are struggling to keep their children warm, prepare hot food, and access regular running water," he said.

Russia launched more than 70 missiles and 450 attack drones at various areas of Ukraine, including the capital city, in its latest round of strikes, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.

Nine people are known to have been injured so far, he said. Emergency services said at least five people were injured in Kyiv - two of whom went to hospital.

According to the Ukrainian defence ministry, the strikes across Ukraine were "all directed toward civilian targets".

It said homes, energy facilities and a kindergarten were damaged, while there were fires in Kyiv, with flames billowing from the upper floor of a building.

Watch to see the aftermath...

Ukrainians are reeling from a massive Russian missile and drone attack overnight.

Pictures show police officers working in the snow near a damaged apartment building, as someone sweeps debris from the front door.

Residents can be seen taking shelter in an underground train station.

Russia attacked apartments and energy facilities across freezing cities in Ukraine with more than 500 drones and missiles overnight, according to Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha.

Some 1,170 residential buildings ‌in  Kyiv have been left without heating as temperatures plunge to -20C, says the capital's mayor, ⁠Vitali Klitschko.

The attack comes after an apparent pledge by Moscow to cease attacks on energy infrastructure ahead of trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia and the US on Wednesday.

"Putin waited for the temperatures to drop and stockpiled drones and missiles to continue his genocidal attacks against the Ukrainian people," says Sybiha.

"Neither ​anticipated diplomatic efforts in Abu ‍Dhabi this week nor his promises to the ‌United States ⁠kept him ‌from continuing terror ‍against ordinary people in the harshest winter.

"We are dealing with terrorists who must be forced to stop violence.

Russia has repeatedly denied targeting civilians, despite evidence of strikes on numerous apartment buildings throughout the war.

Last night's attack included 60 missiles and 450 drones, Sybiha said, posting a video to social media showing the aftermath.

Last week, the Kremlin said Donald Trump had made a personal request to Vladimir Putin to refrain from striking Kyiv until 1 February, while Zelenskyy said the truce was supposed to last for a week, starting 30 January.

Ukraine, Europe and the US have agreed on a response to any Russia violations of a ceasefire, should one take place, according to reports.

Persistent breaches would trigger a coordinated military response from Europe and the ⁠US, people briefed on talks told the Financial Times.

The ​plan was discussed on several occasions in December and January ‍between Ukrainian, European and American officials.

The proposal says any Russian breach of a ceasefire would ‍prompt a response within 24 hours, starting with a diplomatic warning and, if necessary, action by the Ukrainian army to halt the infraction.

If hostilities ‌continued beyond that, the coalition of the willing would intervene with its forces.

In the case of an expanded attack, a coordinated response ​by a Western-backed force incorporating the US military would be triggered 72 hours after the initial breach. 

Welcome back to our live coverage of the war in Ukraine, as Kyiv, Moscow and Washington prepare to return to the negotiating table on Wednesday.

We'll be bringing you live updates throughout the day - but before we begin, here's a recap of Monday's key developments...

• Ukraine's president said there were no new Russian strikes on his country's energy infrastructure yesterday, after weeks of relentless attacks;
• Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeared to characterise it as a "de-escalation measure" that would build public trust in the talks;
• The Kremlin said Moscow and Kyiv had "made progress" on some issues but thorny matters remained;
• Donald Trump said India will stop purchasing Russian oil as part of a new trade deal with the US that he says "will help end" the war in Ukraine.

... and an overview of the latest movements on the battlefield.

Thanks for following our live updates of the war in Ukraine.

We'll be back with more news tomorrow. Until then, here's a rundown of today's top lines:

• Trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia and the US are due to restart on Wednesday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy says;
• Ukraine's president also said there has been no new Russian strikes on his country's energy infrastructure today;
• The Kremlin said Moscow and Kyiv had "made progress" on some issues but thorny matters remained;
• Elsewhere, Donald Trump said India will stop purchasing Russian oil as part of a new trade deal with the US that he says "will help end" the war in Ukraine.