Kyiv, Ukraine – A large-scale Russian aerial assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure overnight resulted in at least four confirmed fatalities and widespread power outages across multiple regions, Ukrainian officials reported Saturday.
The attack, involving 458 drones and 45 missiles, represents a meaningful escalation in Moscow’s targeting of Ukrainian critical infrastructure as winter approaches. Experts warn the strikes jeopardize Ukraine’s ability to maintain heating supplies during the colder months, potentially impacting millions. This latest offensive follows months of increased Russian attacks aimed at degrading Ukraine’s energy grid, disrupting essential services for civilians and hindering the country’s war effort.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, 406 drones and nine missiles were intercepted. Though, strikes still caused significant damage, including to a natural gas facility crucial for Ukraine’s heating fuel production.
“Russian attacks once again targeted people’s daily lives,” stated Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga. “They cut off people’s electricity, water and heating supplies, destroyed critical infrastructure and damaged the railway network.”
President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed casualties in both Dnipro and Kharkiv. “In Dnipro, a russian drone directly struck a residential building; to date, three people are known to have died in the city. Unluckily, there were also casualties in Kharkiv,” he said.
Emergency power outages were reported in Kyiv and Kharkiv, with Kharkiv also experiencing a complete disruption of its water supply. The Poltava region reported “no electricity, water and partial heating” in the city of Kremenchuk.
(fas/fas)
