On Saturday morning, over 600,000 people in the Kyiv region of Ukraine lost power following a Russian attack that included missile and drone strikes targeting energy infrastructure. According to Ukraine’s energy ministry, more than 500,000 of those affected were in the capital, Kyiv, while the remainder were in nearby areas. Reports indicate that approximately 36 missiles and nearly 600 drones were launched during the nighttime assault, resulting in three fatalities and numerous injuries.
Russia’s defense ministry characterized the operation as a “massive strike” aimed at the Ukrainian military-industrial complex and the energy facilities supporting its operations. In response to the attack, Dtek Energy announced that power had been restored to over 360,000 households by Saturday afternoon.
In addition to damage to energy infrastructure, several residential buildings were impacted, with emergency services responding to fires caused by the strikes. Among the injured were 29 individuals, including a 13-year-old child, as reported by Kyiv’s Mayor, Vitaly Klitschko. Ukraine’s Air Force reported intercepting a significant number of drones and missiles during the attack.
The bombardment is part of a broader pattern of aerial assaults on Kyiv and other cities since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Ukrainians have endured regular blackouts, especially during winter months, as Moscow has frequently targeted energy resources.
Amid this violence, Ukrainian negotiators were set to meet with US officials to discuss a peace plan initially favoring Russia, which has since been revised through negotiations with European allies. President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed support for diplomatic initiatives while emphasizing the need for Ukraine’s sovereignty and defense capabilities. Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated his conditions for peace, demanding the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from territories claimed by Moscow. Current Russian-controlled regions include parts of the eastern Donbas and southern Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2gylngx7go?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss