Ukrainian officials and local media reported that Russian forces launched a large-scale and intense missile attack on multiple areas across the country, the most severe since the start of the year. The strikes resulted in at least four deaths, numerous injuries, and significant damage to energy infrastructure, prompting emergency power cuts amid freezing weather conditions.
Timur Kachenkо, head of Kyiv's military administration, stated that the capital faced a sudden and intense missile barrage. Although brief, the attack caused substantial damage, especially to the thermal power plant operated by DTEK, a major private energy company, where much equipment was severely damaged.
Ukrenergo, Ukraine’s electricity grid operator, had to immediately implement emergency power cuts in Kyiv to prevent system collapse, after Russia repeatedly targeted heating and power systems during the winter since the invasion began in 2022.
Ukraine's Telegram channel tracking the situation reported that Russia fired about 20 ballistic missiles within just one hour during the midnight period. This is considered the most continuous and severe attack since the start of the year. However, neither the Ukrainian military nor Russian authorities have officially commented on the scale of this operation.
In Kharkiv, Oleh Syniehubov, the regional governor, reported that four people were killed and six injured in attacks on the outskirts. Missiles targeted a postal transport station, destroying the building and causing a fire that spread over 500 square meters. Rescue teams managed to evacuate 30 people, including two pulled from under rubble.
In the southern port city of Odessa, five people were injured, with fires damaging a new unused building, a fitness center, and a vocational school. In Kryvyi Rih, an industrial city in central Ukraine, two people were injured, and explosions damaged homes, civilian infrastructure, and gas pipelines.
The Ukrainian military reported that air defense systems are currently working hard to intercept the relentless waves of attacks amid concerns that Russia will continue using energy infrastructure strikes to pressure civilians during winter.