Russia launches massive Overnight Attack on Ukraine as Diplomatic Talks with US Continue
KYIV, Ukraine – russia launched a large-scale aerial attack on Ukraine overnight, targeting critical infrastructure across the country, including the Kyiv region, according to local officials. The strikes damaged electricity substations and generation facilities, and temporarily disconnected both power lines supplying the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant – the 11th such incident since the start of Moscow’s invasion.
The head of Ukraine’s state grid operator described the attack as “quite severe,” the kyiv Independent reported. President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strikes as “a meaningless strike from a military point of view,” adding on Telegram, “The main targets of these strikes are once again energy infrastructure…The goal of the Russians is to hurt millions of Ukrainians, and they have already fallen so low that they launch missiles at peaceful cities on St. Nicholas Day.”
During the hours-long attack on western ukraine, Poland scrambled fighter jets to protect its airspace, the country’s air force announced on X.
The assault comes as a third day of diplomatic talks between U.S. Special Envoy to the middle East Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Russian officials concluded in Moscow. The Kremlin deemed parts of the latest peace proposal “unacceptable.”
Following the talks, which began Thursday in Miami, the U.S. offered a cautious assessment of progress. “Both parties agreed that real progress toward any agreement depends on Russia’s readiness to show serious commitment to long-term peace, including steps toward de-escalation and cessation of killings,” Witkoff stated Friday.
The conflict in Ukraine began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, following years of escalating tensions and a 2014 annexation of Crimea. The war has resulted in widespread destruction, displacement, and casualties, and has prompted international condemnation and sanctions against Russia. Ongoing diplomatic efforts aim to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict, but significant obstacles remain.
