Russian strikes damage Ukraine power grid before talks

Overnight attacks hit Ukraine's power network

Russian drone and ballistic missile strikes damaged Ukrainian energy infrastructure overnight, causing blackouts and disrupting water supplies across the country, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Scale of the attack across Ukraine

Twelve Ukrainian regions came under attack with the capital Kyiv hit hardest. The wave consisted of more than thirty ballistic missiles and over one hundred seventy drones. Nine people were reported hurt, including one child.

Kyiv suffers widespread damage

Zelensky said the capital faced disruptions to electricity, water and heating supplies. Residential buildings, the North Bridge and a kindergarten were damaged. Substations connecting nuclear power plants to Kyiv were also struck.

“The situation in the capital is difficult, with disruptions to electricity, water, and heating supplies.”

Damage extends beyond the capital

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 returned to normal operation and around sixty percent of apartment buildings were…

Timing before diplomatic talks

The attacks come before Ukrainian and Russian delegations are due to take part in trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi next week.

Zelensky calls for US support

Zelensky said Ukraine was counting on increased bilateral support from the United States. He called for unity between both parties on security, support for Ukraine and increased sanctions pressure on Putin, saying US resolve was…

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