Large parts of Kyiv left without power after overnight Russian strikes
Russia carried out a major overnight missile and drone attack on Kyiv. As a result, large areas of Ukraine’s capital were left without electricity and heating. Ukrainian officials reported this.
Ukraine’s foreign minister said roughly a third of the city’s residents were affected by power cuts. Damage was reported to residential buildings and key infrastructure. This occurred as temperatures dropped below freezing. Emergency services confirmed at least one death and dozens of injuries.
Kyiv’s mayor said firefighters and rescue teams were working across multiple districts. Explosions sparked fires and caused structural damage to apartment blocks. Several thousand homes were reported to be without heating, raising concerns for vulnerable residents during winter conditions.
Volodymyr Zelensky reported that Russia launched hundreds of drones. Additionally, dozens of missiles were used during the assault. He accused Moscow of deliberately targeting civilian and energy infrastructure. Writing on social media, he said the attacks showed Russia had no intention of ending the war.
Ukraine’s emergency services said dozens of elderly residents were evacuated from a care home in Kyiv’s eastern Darnytskyi district. The evacuation occurred after the building lost power and heat.
Russia’s defence ministry said it had carried out what it described as a large retaliatory strike against Ukrainian energy facilities. It claimed the targets were linked to military and defence-related production. It also said its air defences had intercepted several Ukrainian drones overnight.
Regional alert as air defenses activated
The strikes prompted neighboring Poland to take action. They placed their air force and air defense units on heightened alert near the Ukrainian border. Polish military officials said fighter jets and radar systems were activated as a precaution to protect national airspace. Later, they confirmed there had been no airspace violations.
Images from Kyiv showed heavily damaged apartment buildings with scorched facades. Firefighters battled blazes through the night. Residents gathered outside damaged homes. Emergency crews worked to restore power.
Diplomacy continues amid escalation
The attack occurred a few hours before Zelensky’s planned departure. He is heading to the United States for talks. There, he is expected to meet former US president Donald Trump. Ukrainian officials say discussions will focus on security guarantees and potential steps toward ending the conflict.
Zelensky is also due to hold talks with European leaders. This includes European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. Kyiv is pushing for stronger international backing.
A revised Ukrainian peace proposal is under discussion. It reportedly includes commitments from the US, Nato, and European partners. These commitments are to respond collectively to any future Russian aggression. Control of eastern Ukraine remains a key unresolved issue. However, Kyiv has indicated it may consider special economic arrangements. This would be part of a wider settlement.
Despite renewed diplomatic efforts, the scale of the overnight strikes has highlighted the ongoing intensity of the conflict. It also emphasizes the increasing strain on civilian life in Ukraine’s capital.
