Kyiv, Ukraine: Russia has intensified its assault on Ukraine, launching dozens of missiles and drones against critical energy infrastructure and residential buildings, resulting in the deaths of at least 6 civilians and leaving many injured. These coordinated strikes severely threaten to plunge major Ukrainian cities into darkness as the cold season approaches.
Ukrainian officials confirmed that over 25 locations across the nation were targeted, including the capital, Kyiv. The most tragic casualties were reported in the city of Dnipro, where an attack on an apartment building killed 2 people and wounded 12, while 3 others lost their lives in Zaporizhzhia.
The Ukrainian Prime Minister reported that major energy facilities in the Kharkiv and Kyiv regions sustained heavy damage, leading to immediate power outages in numerous areas. Restoration efforts are underway on an emergency basis, but the scale of the destruction presents a significant challenge.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russian forces launched over 450 drones and 45 missiles overnight. The Air Force claimed to have successfully intercepted 9 missiles and 406 drones. Conversely, the Russian Ministry of Defence claimed its forces shot down 79 Ukrainian drones. Russian officials maintain that their attacks on energy centers are essential to weaken Ukraine’s military capabilities.
The Ukrainian Energy Ministry confirmed widespread power supply disruption, including in Dnipro. Following these deadly strikes, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a strong statement, urging the international community to ensure that Western sanctions on Russia’s energy sector are not eased in light of the renewed aggression against civilian infrastructure.
