Russia has launched its biggest aerial attack on Ukraine in some time, targeting power plants and energy infrastructure in Kyiv and many other locations. The strikes were launched as temperatures dropped below minus 20C (-4F) overnight and have left more than 1,000 tower blocks in the capital without heating once again and damaged a power plant in the eastern city of Kharkiv beyond repair. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia was choosing terror and escalation rather than diplomacy to end this war and called for maximum pressure on Moscow from Ukraine's allies.
The attack comes after a so-called energy truce agreed by Donald Trump with Vladimir Putin expired at the weekend. It also came on the day NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte was in Kyiv to meet President Zelensky and address the national parliament. Donald Trump's initiative was meant to give diplomacy a chance. Negotiators from Russia and Ukraine are due to meet in Abu Dhabi for another round of talks coordinated by the US later this week.
It is clear that Russia has other ideas. The air raid lasted more than seven hours with residents spending the night sheltering in metro stations, some pitching tents on the platforms to protect themselves from the cold. President Zelensky has confirmed that more than 70 ballistic and cruise missiles were fired, along with 450 drones to overwhelm Ukraine's air defenses. Ukraine's Air Force reported it intercepted only 38 of the missiles, meaning many struck their targets.
Officials in Ukraine have complained of a missile shortage to defend their skies, primarily relying on US-made Patriot missiles. Timely delivery of missiles for air defense systems and the protection of normal life are our priority, Zelensky stated on social media. He emphasized that, without pressure on Russia, there would be no end to the ongoing conflict.
In response to ongoing attacks, the private power company DTEK confirmed that two of its plants were hit, marking the ninth significant attack on the sector since October. Each assault complicates repair efforts and strains the already fragile power system in Ukraine. Residents have reported living without heating for extended periods, and many rely on soup kitchens for warm meals as power cuts become more frequent.
Local sentiments reflect a deep anger towards Russia for targeting civilians' basic living conditions. As one resident put it, Russia won't get what it wants; we are stronger than them in any case. As the freezing temperatures persist, the humanitarian crisis continues to deepen in Ukraine.
The attack comes after a so-called energy truce agreed by Donald Trump with Vladimir Putin expired at the weekend. It also came on the day NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte was in Kyiv to meet President Zelensky and address the national parliament. Donald Trump's initiative was meant to give diplomacy a chance. Negotiators from Russia and Ukraine are due to meet in Abu Dhabi for another round of talks coordinated by the US later this week.
It is clear that Russia has other ideas. The air raid lasted more than seven hours with residents spending the night sheltering in metro stations, some pitching tents on the platforms to protect themselves from the cold. President Zelensky has confirmed that more than 70 ballistic and cruise missiles were fired, along with 450 drones to overwhelm Ukraine's air defenses. Ukraine's Air Force reported it intercepted only 38 of the missiles, meaning many struck their targets.
Officials in Ukraine have complained of a missile shortage to defend their skies, primarily relying on US-made Patriot missiles. Timely delivery of missiles for air defense systems and the protection of normal life are our priority, Zelensky stated on social media. He emphasized that, without pressure on Russia, there would be no end to the ongoing conflict.
In response to ongoing attacks, the private power company DTEK confirmed that two of its plants were hit, marking the ninth significant attack on the sector since October. Each assault complicates repair efforts and strains the already fragile power system in Ukraine. Residents have reported living without heating for extended periods, and many rely on soup kitchens for warm meals as power cuts become more frequent.
Local sentiments reflect a deep anger towards Russia for targeting civilians' basic living conditions. As one resident put it, Russia won't get what it wants; we are stronger than them in any case. As the freezing temperatures persist, the humanitarian crisis continues to deepen in Ukraine.
