A large-scale Russian missile and drone assault has targeted Ukraine’s power infrastructure, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. Authorities and local media report that this is the most extensive coordinated attack since early September, with explosions reported across the country.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that the strikes hit “peaceful cities, sleeping civilians,” and “critical infrastructure.” Emergency blackouts were imposed in Kyiv and two other eastern regions, raising concerns of another harsh winter ahead.
President Zelensky revealed on Telegram that around 120 missiles and 90 drones were launched during the attack. Ukraine’s largest private energy company, DTEK, reported “significant damage” to its thermal power plants, marking the eighth major assault on its energy facilities this year. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, the company said its plants have been targeted over 190 times.
Officials warn the attack may signal a renewed Russian effort to cripple Ukraine’s power grid as winter approaches. In the southern city of Mykolaiv, at least two people were killed and several injured. Odesa, a major Black Sea port, suffered a city-wide power outage.
In Kyiv, falling debris from intercepted missiles and drones caused damage in several areas, though no injuries were reported. Meanwhile, Poland, Ukraine’s western neighbor, scrambled fighter jets to secure its airspace. Poland’s Operational Command cited the Russian attack’s proximity to western Ukraine as the reason for heightened precautions.
The assault follows an escalation of drone warfare between Russia and Ukraine. Last weekend saw the largest drone attacks by both sides since the war began. Russia claimed to have intercepted 84 Ukrainian drones across six regions, including near Moscow, forcing flight diversions at three major airports. On November 9, Ukraine reported that Russia launched 145 drones nationwide, most of which were intercepted by Ukrainian air defenses.