Kyiv: Russia has carried out its deadliest attack on Ukraine so far this year, launching a massive overnight assault involving more than 400 drones and nearly 40 missiles. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed grave concern over the scale and intensity of the strikes, stating that Russia primarily targeted the country’s energy infrastructure.
According to President Zelenskyy, the attacks caused significant damage to power generation units, energy grids, and distribution substations, further straining Ukraine’s energy system during the harsh winter months. Several regions, including Volyn, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, and Rivne, reported destruction. In Rivne, an apartment building was damaged, while in the city of Ladyzhyn in the Vinnytsia region, a drone strike hit the administrative building of a local college.
The capital Kyiv and the Kharkiv region also came under sustained attack, with air defence operations still ongoing in some areas, preventing a full return to normalcy.
President Zelenskyy criticized Moscow for continuing its military aggression, noting that Russia could choose genuine diplomacy but instead persists with daily attacks. He urged countries supporting diplomatic efforts to respond firmly to Russia’s strategy.
Emphasising the need to stop Russia from weaponising winter pressure, Zelenskyy called for increased supplies of air defence missiles for systems such as Patriot and NASAMS. He thanked international partners for their continued support, saying every shipment helps Ukraine endure this difficult winter.
