Russia Launches Massive Winter Attack on Ukraine Power Grid

Russia launched one of its biggest winter attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure early Saturday, causing widespread power outages and heating failures across the country. Explosions were reported in Kyiv overnight, and more than 1.2 million homes and buildings lost electricity, according to officials.

In Kyiv, nearly 6,000 buildings were left without heating, while temperatures dropped to -10°C, worsening the situation for residents already struggling after earlier attacks on the city’s heating system.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that one person was killed and four were injured in the capital, while 19 people, including a child, were wounded in Kharkiv.

Ukrainian authorities said over 800,000 homes in Kyiv and 400,000 in the Chernihiv region remained without power after the strikes. The country’s air force reported that Russia launched 375 drones and 21 missiles, including rare Tsirkon ballistic missiles, in the overnight assault.

This attack is described as Russia’s heaviest winter strike on Ukraine’s power grid, which has been repeatedly targeted since the invasion began in 2022. Millions of Ukrainians now have electricity for only a few hours a day, and many areas lack heat and water.

The strikes happened during U.S.-brokered peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi, where officials from all three sides are discussing a possible ceasefire. Despite the talks, no major progress or compromise has been reported so far.