At least six people have been killed in a massive overnight Russian assault on Ukraine, which targeted energy infrastructure and residential areas with hundreds of missiles and drones, plunging multiple regions into darkness and causing widespread damage. This attack underscores the ongoing intensity of the nearly four-year conflict as winter approaches, with Ukrainian officials reporting significant casualties and disruptions to critical services.
The barrage, one of the largest in recent months, involved over 450 drones and 45 missiles launched by Russian forces from air, land, and sea platforms, including hypersonic ballistic missiles. Ukrainian air defenses managed to intercept 406 drones and nine missiles, but many projectiles struck their targets, highlighting the scale of the offensive. Russian authorities confirmed the “massive strike” while claiming to have shot down numerous Ukrainian drones in retaliation, though independent verification of these claims is limited.
Casualties were reported across several regions, with at least two deaths and 12 injuries in Dnipro after a strike hit an apartment building, and three fatalities in Zaporizhzhia. Al Jazeera cited higher figures, reporting at least 11 killed overall, including incidents in Donetsk and Kherson, where multistorey buildings and homes were damaged. The varying casualty numbers reflect the challenges of real-time reporting in conflict zones, but all sources agree on the severe human toll.
Critical energy facilities in Poltava, Kharkiv, and Kyiv regions sustained damage, leading to power outages in Dnipropetrovsk, Chernihiv, Zaporizhzhya, Odesa, and Kirovohrad. Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced that restoration work is underway, with some infrastructure already reconnected using generators to maintain water supply and essential services. However, rolling blackouts are in place in affected areas to manage the strain on the damaged grid.
In response, President Volodymyr Zelensky called for intensified Western sanctions on Russian energy, emphasizing that there must be “no exceptions” following the U.S. decision to grant Hungary a one-year exemption from restrictions on Russian oil and gas. He argued that such exemptions provide funds for Russia’s war machine, enabling further attacks on civilian infrastructure. This diplomatic push comes amid stalled efforts to end the war, with Zelensky urging the U.S., Europe, and G7 to take decisive action.
The attacks are part of a broader Russian strategy to target Ukraine’s energy network ahead of winter, aiming to cripple the economy and demoralize the population. Analysts note that this fourth winter of full-scale invasion will test Ukraine’s defensive resilience, as similar assaults in past years have led to prolonged humanitarian crises. The ongoing conflict also includes fierce ground fighting, particularly around Pokrovsk in Donetsk, where Russian forces are attempting to seize more territory.
As Ukraine works to restore power and aid victims, the international community faces renewed pressure to bolster support, including military aid and sanctions enforcement. The incident highlights the war’s escalating humanitarian impact and the urgent need for cohesive global responses to mitigate further suffering and instability in the region.
