A series of heavy overnight Russian missile and drone attacks have knocked out power across large parts of Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, leaving thousands in the dark and without water.
At least nine people were injured in the strikes, while residents in the city’s eastern districts faced severe disruptions to electricity and water supplies. Emergency workers rushed to contain fires and rescue those trapped in damaged buildings.
In southern Ukraine, tragedy struck when a seven-year-old child was killed in a separate drone strike on the Zaporizhzhia region. Local authorities described the night’s bombardment as one of the most intense in recent weeks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attacks, urging the country’s allies to take stronger, more decisive steps to support Ukraine. He called for the immediate delivery of air defense systems and stricter enforcement of sanctions against Russia, warning that Moscow’s strikes were deliberately targeting the nation’s energy infrastructure.
“These attacks are calculated to destroy everything that sustains normal life,” Zelensky said, noting that more than 450 drones and 30 missiles were launched at critical facilities just as colder weather sets in.
Ukraine’s Energy Minister reported that repair teams were already working around the clock to restore electricity to affected areas. In Kyiv, firefighters were seen battling blazes in high-rise apartment buildings, as explosions lit up the night sky.
Authorities have warned that more large-scale attacks could follow, as Russia appears determined to cripple Ukraine’s energy grid and leave millions vulnerable during the approaching winter.