Mike Baker

Just call the number 866-885-1881.

Again, that number is 866-885-1881.

Or just visit AmericanFinancing.net slash PDB.

Welcome back to the Afternoon Bulletin.

Turning to the war in Ukraine, Kyiv came under another major Russian aerial attack over the weekend, just as peace talks were unfolding in Abu Dhabi, deepening what officials warn may now be the most severe energy crisis of the war.

According to a report from Reuters, Russia unleashed 375 drones and 21 missiles during their latest aerial bombardment, including two of their rarely used Zircon hypersonic missiles.

Ukrainian air defenses went into action as a fresh wave of missiles and drones targeted critical infrastructure across the capital and surrounding regions.

While Ukraine's military intercepted a number of incoming threats, several projectiles got through, triggering widespread power outages and disrupting heating systems as temperatures remained well below freezing.

Ukrainian officials said the attack left roughly 1.2 million properties without electricity nationwide, with additional damage reported to heating networks serving residential districts in Kyiv.

Emergency crews worked through the weekend to stabilize the grid, but officials warned that repairs are becoming increasingly difficult as Russia repeatedly hits the same infrastructure.

There were also casualties.

Kyiv's mayor said one person was killed and four others injured in the capital, while officials in Kharkiv reported more than 30 injured following strikes on medical facilities, including a maternity hospital.

As emergency repairs continue, Kyiv has moved deeper into contingency mode.

City officials have expanded heated shelters, distributed hot food and medicine, and eased curfew restrictions so residents can reach warming centers.

measures that outscore how desperate the situation has become.

And of course, the timing here does matter.

The attack struck overnight from Friday into Saturday, landing between the first day of trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi and the next round of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia and the U.S.,

Talks at Washington is framed, rather optimistically, as modest but constructive.

Kiev, however, has been blunt in its assessment.

The strikes underscore why Ukrainian officials feel Moscow is not negotiating in good faith.