Overnight, a barrage of more than 30 ballistic missiles and over 170 drones struck Ukrainian energy infrastructure, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. The attacks hit 12 regions, with Kyiv suffering the most severe damage and blackouts.
Nine people were reported injured across the country, including a child, as the strikes disrupted electricity, water and heating supplies. “The situation in the capital is difficult, with disruptions to electricity, water, and heating supplies. Residential buildings, the North Bridge, and a kindergarten have been damaged,” Zelensky said in a Telegram post.
Substations linking the Rivne and Khmelnytsky nuclear power plants to Kyiv and central Ukraine were hit, and additional substations were damaged in Vinnytsia, Zhytomyr, Rivne, Kharkiv and Dnipro regions. The energy minister, Denys Shmyhal, noted power cuts in five regions but did not disclose how many homes were affected.
Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, reported that the city’s water supply system had returned to normal operation and that about 60% of apartment buildings were connected to the heating system.
These attacks come just before Ukrainian and Russian delegations are set to meet in Abu Dhabi for trilateral talks next week. Zelensky warned that Moscow was preparing for the talks by targeting Ukraine’s “critical infrastructure.”
Earlier this week, glide bombs hit an aid centre near Zaporizhzhia, raising the death toll to 55 as teams search deeper into the ruins. The latest strikes follow a six‑day ceasefire that allowed residents of the Russian‑occupied town of Oleshky to evacuate, an outcome Trump credited with brokering during a White House meeting with Russian and Ukrainian officials.
In his Telegram update, Zelensky appealed for increased bilateral support from the United States, stressing the importance of unity on security, condemnation of Russian aggression and heightened sanctions pressure on Putin. He added, “The resolve and consistency of the United States in supporting Ukraine are of great importance in bringing peace closer.”
As Ukraine prepares for the upcoming talks, officials are monitoring the damage and seeking international assistance to restore power and essential services. The situation remains fluid, with temperatures dropping and the first winter snow touching parts of the country.
