More than 600,000 residents of Kyiv and the surrounding region were left without electricity on Friday after a wave of intense Russian missile and drone attacks targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure overnight.
According to Ukrainian authorities, the strikes caused three deaths and dozens of injuries, adding further strain to the country’s already fragile energy grid as winter approaches.
Ukraine’s Air Force reported that it shot down 558 drones and 19 missiles, noting that Russia has escalated its attacks in recent days in an apparent effort to severely damage Ukraine’s energy network before temperatures drop.
Meteorological services warn that temperatures in Kyiv are expected to fall to 2°C, raising fears of deepening energy shortages that could threaten heating, essential services, and civilian safety during the winter months.
The strikes come as Ukrainian negotiators prepare for high-level talks with U.S. officials this weekend, discussions seen as crucial for securing ongoing military and financial support. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated that preserving Ukraine’s sovereignty remains the government’s top priority amid the continued Russian offensive.
