Russia carried out one of its largest overnight attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, killing at least six people and leaving vast areas without electricity, water, and heating. According to reports, the strikes targeted both residential and industrial areas, hitting 25 sites across Kyiv and other cities. Ukrainian authorities said Moscow deployed over 450 drones and 45 missiles in the assault. Several major power facilities were damaged, causing emergency blackouts in multiple regions. Energy company DTEK confirmed that electricity was cut to parts of Kyiv and the northern city of Kharkiv. President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that in Dnipro, a Russian drone hit a residential building, killing three people, while one person died in Kharkiv. “Russian strikes once again targeted civilian life,” said Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga. “Communities were left without power, water, and heating. Critical infrastructure and railway networks were damaged.” In Kharkiv, the mayor reported severe electricity shortages, while local authorities said water supplies were also disrupted. Kremenchuk, in the Poltava region, experienced interruptions to electricity, water, and partial heating following the attacks. Restoration Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said train services nationwide were disrupted due to damage at locomotive depots. “We are working to eliminate the consequences across the country, focusing on restoring heat, electricity, and water as quickly as possible,” stated Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. State-owned energy company Naftogaz said this assault marks the ninth major attack on gas infrastructure since early October. Experts warned that sustained strikes could lead to heating shortages as winter approaches. The Kyiv School of Economics estimated that half of Ukraine’s natural gas production has already been shut down. Energy analyst Oleksandr Kharchenko warned that if Kyiv’s two main power and heating plants remain offline for more than three days in temperatures below minus ten degrees Celsius, the capital could face a “technological disaster.” Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed responsibility, stating that its forces targeted “enterprises of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex and gas and energy facilities that support their operation.” Meanwhile, Ukraine has intensified its own drone strikes on Russian oil depots and refineries in recent months in an effort to cut off Moscow’s vital energy exports. On Friday evening, drone attacks on energy infrastructure in Russia’s southern Volgograd region caused temporary power outages there, according to regional governor Andrei Botcharov.
Russia Strikes Ukraine with 450 Drones, 45 Missiles; Six Dead
