Russia launched its biggest missile attack on Ukraine since August, targeting power facilities as winter sets in. Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko confirmed the attacks on electricity generation and transmission facilities. Air defenses were heard engaging drones in Kyiv, where powerful blasts were reported in the city center. The scale of damage was unclear, but officials cut power supply to prevent surges in case of damage.
In Mykolaiv, two people were killed in a drone attack, while other cities like Zaporizhzhia and Odesa also experienced blasts. Russia’s attack was described as a response to leaders who interacted with President Vladimir Putin, with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemning the strike against peaceful cities.
NATO member Poland scrambled its air force as a precaution due to the attack, which included cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and drones. Ukraine’s air force advised residents to take cover as Russian missiles traveled through Ukrainian airspace. In Kyiv, a residential building caught fire from falling debris, injuring at least two people.
This attack comes after Russia’s missile strike on Kyiv in August, which killed seven people. Ukrainians have been bracing for a major attack on the power system, fearing long blackouts and psychological pressure in the ongoing war that Russia launched in February 2022. The situation remains tense as officials work to assess the extent of the damage and ensure the safety of residents.
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