Russian strikes damage Ukraine power network, blackouts reported

Russian overnight drone and ballistic missile attacks damaged Ukraine's energy infrastructure, causing blackouts and disrupting water supplies, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said. Zelensky said 12 Ukrainian regions came under attack, with the capital Kyiv hit hardest. Nine people are reported to have been hurt across the country, including one child, in the wave of attacks that consisted of more than 30 ballistic missiles and over 170 drones.

Damage to energy infrastructure

Zelensky wrote on Telegram that Moscow was preparing for trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi by launching attacks on Ukraine's "critical infrastructure".

"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 the Kyiv region, there were strikes on substations that connect the Rivne and Khmelnytsky nuclear power plants to Kyiv and central Ukraine."

Zelensky added that beyond Kyiv, substations were damaged in Vinnytsia, Zhytomyr, Rivne, Kharkiv and Dnipro regions.

Kyiv's Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the city's water supply system is back to operating normally. He also said around 60% of the city's apartment buildings were connected to the heating system.

The energy minister, Denys Shmyhal, said there were power cuts in five regions but did not say how many homes were affected.

Missile details and diplomatic context

According to Ukrainska Pravda, Zelenskyy stated that Russia used 36 missiles flying on a ballistic trajectory during the night attack, and only four of them were successfully intercepted. Early reports indicate that the Russians used KN-23 missiles, manufactured and supplied by North Korea, during the strike on one of the key energy facilities that suffered damage.

The attacks come before Ukrainian and Russian delegations are due to take part in trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi next week. Zelensky added in his Telegram post that Ukraine was counting on increased bilateral support from the United States.

"We are counting on unity between both parties on issues of security, support for Ukraine, condemnation of Russian aggression, and increased sanctions pressure on Putin," he wrote.

"The resolve and consistency of the United States in supporting Ukraine are of great importance in bringing peace closer."

Why it matters

The strikes damaged Ukraine's power network ahead of winter, with temperatures dropping and the first winter snow already falling in parts of the country. The damage to substations connecting nuclear power plants to Kyiv and central Ukraine raises concerns about energy stability as diplomatic talks proceed.

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Sources

• bbc.com: Ukraine's power network suffers further damage after fresh Russian strikes
• theguardian.com: Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy says Russia has damaged ‘every power plant’ as he seeks Latin American help | Ukraine | The Guardian
• pravda.com.ua: Ukraine intercepts four of 36 Russian missiles: Zelenskyy reports North Korean weapons used | Ukrainska Pravda

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.