At least 600,000 people across Ukraine are currently without electricity following a wave of deadly overnight missile and drone strikes by Russia, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. The attacks targeted critical energy infrastructure, specifically affecting the capital, Kyiv, the surrounding region, and the north-eastern city of Kharkiv.
Ukraine’s state emergencies service, DSNS, reported that at least three people were killed and 21 others were injured during the strikes in Kyiv. The Ukrainian air force stated that Russia launched a total of 39 ballistic and cruise missiles alongside 128 drones during the operation. Of these, authorities claimed that 115 drones and four missiles were successfully intercepted.
The Russian defence ministry confirmed the "massive" nature of the overnight strikes, asserting that the operation targeted energy and communications facilities utilized by the Ukrainian military in the Kyiv and Kharkiv regions. Additionally, Moscow reported that 902 Ukrainian drones were shot down over various Russian territories, including the capital and the Crimean peninsula.
The escalation follows a claim made on Sunday by US President Donald Trump, who announced on social media that an "energy ceasefire" was in effect between Russia and Ukraine. President Zelensky has previously expressed that Ukraine is willing to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries and energy facilities if Moscow agrees to reciprocate. However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov rejected the notion of a "respite," arguing that such a truce would only allow Europe to supply Ukraine with new weaponry to sustain the conflict.
The ongoing war, which began with Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion in 2022, has resulted in Russia currently controlling approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory.
