Ukraine Energy Infrastructure Hit by Russian Strikes, Leaving Hundreds of Thousands Without Power
President Zelensky reports "critical" infrastructure damage in Kyiv and Kharkiv regions; Russia claims to have intercepted numerous Ukrainian drones.
Russian missile and drone strikes overnight have left at least 600,000 people in Ukraine without electricity, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced. He stated that "critical" energy infrastructure was targeted in the capital region of Kyiv and the northeastern city of Kharkiv.
These attacks occurred despite a statement by former US President Donald Trump on Sunday asserting an "energy ceasefire" was in place between Russia and Ukraine. Trump wrote on social media that "Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!"
In Kyiv, the strikes resulted in at least three fatalities and 21 injuries, according to Ukraine's state emergency services. Russia's defense ministry claimed its "massive" overnight strikes were aimed at communications and energy facilities in the Kyiv and Kharkiv regions that it said were used by Ukraine's military.
The Russian defense ministry also reported shooting down 902 Ukrainian drones overnight over various Russian regions, including Moscow and Crimea. Ukraine's air force stated that Russia launched 39 ballistic and cruise missiles and 128 drones, successfully intercepting four missiles and 115 drones.
President Zelensky has previously indicated Ukraine's willingness to halt strikes on Russian energy facilities if Moscow reciprocated. However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov suggested Ukraine did not merit a respite and that a truce would allow Europe to re-arm Ukraine. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and currently controls approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory.