Russia launched one of its largest coordinated attacks on Ukraine’s energy network this year, striking power infrastructure and residential areas across nine regions, including the capital Kyiv. At least two people were killed and several others, including children, were injured, according to reports from France 24 and Ukrainian officials.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said the latest barrage specifically targeted civilians and key energy facilities. “We count on America, Europe, and the G7 not to ignore Moscow’s intent to destroy everything,” he wrote on social media, urging Western nations to tighten sanctions on Russia.
Ukraine’s largest private energy firm, DTEK, confirmed that several of its power plants sustained damage. “It’s a bad blow in our efforts to keep power flowing this winter,” said CEO Maxim Timchenko. The country’s energy ministry described the impact as “significant,” noting widespread power outages but without specifying the total number of affected consumers.
Regional officials in Lviv, near the Polish border, reported that two energy facilities were struck. In Zaporizhzhia, authorities confirmed the deaths of two civilians and injuries to 17 others, including six children.
According to Ukraine’s air force, Russia launched 52 missiles and 653 drones, of which 623 aerial targets were intercepted. Despite the high interception rate, the remaining strikes caused major disruptions across several cities.
The Russian Defence Ministry later claimed responsibility for what it described as a “massive precision strike,” stating that its targets were Ukrainian “military-industrial facilities, energy infrastructure, and airbases.” Moscow also claimed to have shot down 170 Ukrainian drones overnight, including 48 over Bryansk and nine near Moscow.
Since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, particularly during the winter months. Ukraine, in turn, has carried out retaliatory drone strikes on Russian oil refineries and energy installations. Despite renewed peace efforts led by U.S. President Donald Trump, diplomatic progress remains limited.
