Russian Air strikes Cut power to Millions across Ukraine

Russia launched a large-scale overnight attack on Ukraine’s energy system early Saturday, triggering explosions across Kyiv and leaving about 1.2 million properties without electricity nationwide, Ukrainian officials said.

In the capital, nearly 6,000 buildings were without heating as morning temperatures fell to around minus 10 degrees Celsius (14°F). Many apartments were already cold due to earlier strikes that damaged Kyiv’s centralized heating network.

The attacks came as U.S.-brokered talks between Russia and Ukraine continued for a second day in the United Arab Emirates, with no reported progress toward a compromise.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said one person was killed and four others injured in the capital, including three hospitalized. In Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, at least 19 people, including a child, were wounded.

Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraine’s power grid since its full-scale invasion in 2022. This winter’s campaign has been the most intense yet, leaving many Ukrainians with only a few hours of electricity a day and, in some areas, no heat or running water.

Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said more than 800,000 people in Kyiv and another 400,000 in the northern Chernihiv region were without power following the latest strikes.

Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 375 drones and 21 missiles overnight, including two Tsirkon ballistic missiles, which are rarely used.

Residents in Kyiv described the sky lighting up with flashes as air defenses intercepted incoming drones and missiles. Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, said at least four districts were hit, damaging multiple buildings, including a medical facility.

The capital had already suffered two major overnight attacks since the start of the year. Emergency crews were still repairing damage from those strikes when Saturday’s assault caused new outages. Klitschko said some buildings that lost heat had only recently had service restored.

In Kharkiv, located about 30 kilometers (18 miles) from the Russian border, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said 25 drones struck several districts. He said the attacks damaged a dormitory housing displaced people and two medical facilities, including a maternity hospital.