Explosions were heard on Sunday morning in Kiev after the authorities warned of a ballistic missile attack, two days before the fourth anniversary of the war. Russia launched 50 missiles and 297 drones, of which 33 and 274 were shot down or neutralized. Hungary announced its rejection of a 20 European sanctions package unless Kiev returns a Russian oil pipeline, while Moscow airports resumed operations after repelling 24 Ukrainian marches. Pope Leo XIV called for “peace that cannot be postponed” in his weekly message.

Published on: 02/22/2026 - 07:02 Last updated: 02/23/2026 - 08:18

The military administration of the Ukrainian capital announced on Sunday “a state of air alert in Kiev due to the enemy’s threat to use ballistic weapons,” before the sound of explosions was heard at approximately 04:00 local time (02:00 GMT), and asked residents to remain in shelters until the alert was lifted.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched 50 missiles and 297 drones in attacks launched overnight, and that air defense units shot down or “neutralized” 33 missiles and 274 drones.

Power outage in Zaporizhya, which is controlled by Russia

Yevgeny Paletsky, who was appointed by Russia as governor of the areas under its control in the Zaporizhya region, said that the power went out for the second time on Sunday morning. Maintenance teams had previously been able to restore electricity to about 50 percent of the area after a major Ukrainian attack on the energy infrastructure.

The Pope calls for peace immediately

Pope Leo XIV said on Sunday that peace in Ukraine “cannot be postponed,” two days before the fourth anniversary of the start of the Russian attack.

He said in his weekly message to the faithful in Saint Peter's Square in the Vatican: "Four years have now passed since the beginning of the war against Ukraine... How many victims, how many lives and families shattered, and how much destruction!"

He added: "Peace cannot be postponed. It is an urgent matter that must find a place in hearts and be translated into responsible decisions," renewing the call to "reach a ceasefire without delay, and for dialogue to be strengthened to open the way to peace."

The Pope's speech came hours after a Russian attack with missiles and drones on Ukrainian regions, including Kiev, two days before the fourth anniversary of the war on February 24.

Kiev, Moscow and Washington held discussions in recent weeks in an effort to reach a settlement to end the war, but have not yet succeeded in reaching an agreement.

Hungary rejects a European sanctions package

Hungary announced on Sunday that it would not ratify the 20th sanctions package that the European Union intends to impose on Russia, unless Kiev reopens a major oil pipeline supplying the country with oil from Moscow.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban wrote on the X platform: “No support for sanctions. The 20th package will be rejected.” In turn, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto wrote, "Until Ukraine resumes transporting oil to Hungary and Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline, we will not allow important decisions to be taken for Kiev."

Ukraine says that the pipeline that passes through its territory and transports Russian oil to Slovakia and Hungary was damaged by strikes launched by Moscow on January 27.

Moscow airports resume operations

Moscow airports resumed operations on Sunday evening after the Russian Civil Aviation Authority (Rosaviatsia) suspended operations due to drone attacks, which the city's mayor confirmed had been repelled.

The Russian Civil Aviation Authority said that all major Moscow airports are open for incoming and outgoing flights, after coordination with the relevant authorities.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said in a number of posts on Telegram that 24 Ukrainian drones were arrested or destroyed on their way to Moscow, starting at approximately 3 p.m. (12:00 GMT).

The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that air defense units intercepted or destroyed 130 Ukrainian drones within four hours that ended at eight in the evening (17:00 GMT), and these areas included Moscow and its surrounding areas and other areas in central Russia.

France 24/AFP/Reuters

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