KYIV — Russia carried out another large-scale missile and drone assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, plunging millions into darkness and cold as winter temperatures remain well below freezing. The latest strikes, launched overnight across multiple regions, marked the second major bombardment in less than a week and further strained Ukraine’s already fragile power grid.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia deployed nearly 300 attack drones along with ballistic and cruise missiles, targeting at least eight regions. Several hundred thousand households in and around Kyiv were left without electricity, while officials reported casualties and widespread infrastructure damage in the east and south of the country.
In the northeastern Kharkiv region, a strike hit a postal logistics facility, killing four people and injuring several others. Local authorities also reported damage to residential buildings and emergency crews battling fires sparked by falling debris. In the southern port city of Odesa, additional strikes wounded civilians and damaged a hospital, educational facilities, and energy installations.
The attacks came as temperatures in the capital hovered around minus 12 degrees Celsius (10 degrees Fahrenheit), compounding the humanitarian impact. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the overnight barrage caused the most severe power outage the city has experienced so far this winter. More than 500 residential buildings were left without central heating, forcing residents to seek alternative sources of warmth.
Across Kyiv, the low hum of generators echoed through icy streets as residents gathered at government-run “Points of Invincibility” — temporary heated shelters offering electricity, hot drinks, food, and charging stations. Many families adjusted to life without power by sharing heated spaces, storing food outdoors, and relying on candles after dark.
City authorities ordered emergency measures, including the distribution of at least one hot meal per day to vulnerable residents. Utility and infrastructure workers were placed on round-the-clock shifts to restore electricity, water, and heating as quickly as possible.
International reaction was swift. The United States described the renewed attacks as a dangerous escalation, particularly as diplomatic efforts to explore a path toward ending the war continue. At an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, U.S. officials condemned the intensifying strikes on civilian infrastructure and warned of the growing toll on non-combatants.
Russia’s campaign against Ukraine’s power grid has been a recurring tactic since the early stages of the invasion, which began in February 2022. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly accused Moscow of deliberately “weaponizing winter” to erode civilian morale by cutting access to heat, water, and electricity during the coldest months.
The human cost of the conflict continues to rise. According to the United Nations, last year was the deadliest for Ukrainian civilians since 2022, with long-range attacks increasingly affecting areas far from the front lines. The U.N. cited a sharp increase in casualties linked to strikes on energy and urban infrastructure.
Zelenskyy renewed calls for faster delivery of air defense systems from Western allies, saying stronger protection is essential to counter Russia’s expanding use of drones and missiles. He also urged additional international support to help Ukraine stabilize its energy network and protect civilians during the winter.
Meanwhile, Russia claimed its air defenses intercepted multiple Ukrainian drones overnight, including several over the Rostov region near the border. Ukrainian military officials said their forces struck a drone manufacturing facility in the Russian city of Taganrog, reporting explosions and damage to production buildings. Those claims could not be independently verified.
As the war approaches its fourth year, the latest attacks underscore the growing strain on civilians and critical infrastructure, with winter once again emerging as a central battleground in the conflict.
