Ternopil, Ukraine — A devastating Russian air assault struck the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil overnight, killing at least 26 people, including three children, according to Ukrainian authorities. The attack coincided with mounting tensions over a newly reported U.S.–Russia peace proposal that may force Kyiv to cede territory and reduce the size of its military.
The Attack
Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko confirmed the casualties and said that nearly 100 more people were injured, with a number still missing under the rubble of destroyed residential buildings. The Guardian+1
Russia reportedly launched a massive barrage of 476 drones and 48 missiles, targeting homes, transport infrastructure, and energy installations, leaving wide swaths of the region without power amid freezing temperatures. Emergency crews worked through the night, combing debris-strewn streets for survivors. The Guardian+1
Humanitarian Fallout
Among the hardest hit were high-rise apartment buildings in Ternopil. The impact was so forceful that entire upper floors were torn away, according to rescue teams. The Guardian Local officials say the loss of civilian life underscores the brutal toll of the assault, especially as winter conditions compound the suffering of survivors.
Peace Plan Controversy
The strike comes amid reports of a draft peace deal allegedly negotiated between Washington and Moscow. According to multiple sources, the proposal would compel Ukraine to cede land and drastically shrink its military capabilities. The Guardian
Though not officially confirmed by either side, the plan has sparked fierce backlash in Kyiv. Opponents argue that the concessions could undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and long-term security. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has previously rejected similar terms.
Analysts suggest that the timing of the attack may not be coincidental: by striking so aggressively while the peace plan gains traction, Moscow could be exerting pressure on Kyiv to accept its demands.
Ukraine’s Response
In the wake of the assault, Ukrainian leadership has renewed appeals for Western assistance, particularly in bolstering air defense systems. The government also appears to be pressing its international partners to publicly reject any peace deal that undermines its territorial integrity.
Meanwhile, rescue operations in Ternopil continue. Authorities say they are racing against time to reach people trapped under collapsed buildings before further casualties emerge.
International Reactions
Global leaders have begun to weigh in. While no formal diplomatic consensus has yet emerged, many Western governments are reportedly alarmed by the combination of a large-scale civilian strike and the controversial terms of the proposed peace deal.
Observers warn that any peace plan involving forced territorial concessions could destabilise the region further, even if a formal ceasefire is reached. For many Ukrainians, the Ternopil tragedy is a stark reminder of what they stand to lose.