Kyiv, Ukraine. Russia launched a massive overnight air attack on Ukrainian energy facilities on Saturday, targeting electricity generation and distribution, Ukrainian officials said. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the assault involved more than 400 drones and about 40 missiles.
Scale of attack and targets
Zelenskiy said the strike targeted the power grid, generation facilities and distribution substations. Ukraine said its energy sector, nearly four years into the war that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion, is under strain from repeated strikes, accumulated wartime damage and winter weather.
Zelenskiy calls for response
“Every day, Russia could choose real diplomacy, but it chooses new strikes,” Zelenskiy posted on X. “It is crucial that everyone who supports the trilateral negotiations respond to this. Moscow must be deprived of the ability to use the cold as leverage against Ukraine.”
Damage reported and repairs planned
Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal said the strikes hit two thermal power stations in Ukraine’s western regions and core elements of the electricity distribution system, including substations and key distribution lines. “Russian criminals carried out another massive attack on Ukraine’s energy facilities,” Shmyhal said on Telegram, adding that energy workers were ready to begin repair work once security conditions allow.
Weather conditions and diplomatic context
The strikes came as temperatures began to drop, with forecasts of minus 14 degrees Celsius (7 degrees Fahrenheit) in the coming days. The attacks also followed the latest round of U.S.-brokered talks between Ukraine and Russia on how to end the war, held days earlier.
No immediate comment from Moscow
Moscow did not immediately comment on the attacks.
How do you expect the latest strikes to affect daily life and energy supplies in Ukraine in the coming days?
