At least six people have died after Russia launched hundreds of missile and drone attacks on energy infrastructure and residential targets in Ukraine overnight.
A strike on an apartment building in the city of Dnipro killed two people and wounded 12, while three died in Zaporizhzhia.
In all, 25 locations across Ukraine, including the capital city Kyiv, were hit, leaving many areas without electricity and heating. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said on Telegram that major energy facilities were damaged in the Poltava, Kharkiv and Kyiv regions, and work was under way to restore power.
In Russia, the defence ministry said its forces had shot down 79 Ukrainian drones overnight. The Ukrainian air force stated that Russia had launched more than 450 exploding bomber drones and 45 missiles; however, nine missiles and 406 drones were reportedly intercepted.
The Ukrainian Energy Ministry confirmed power cuts in the Dnipropetrovsk, Chernihiv, Zaporizhzhya, Odesa and Kirovohrad regions, but reassured that restoration work was ongoing. Svyrydenko mentioned that critical infrastructure facilities have been reconnected, and water supply is still being maintained using generators.
Russia argues its attacks on energy targets are aimed at the Ukrainian military. This ongoing assault on Ukraine's energy infrastructure ahead of winter has become a stark reality of the conflict, with Ukrainian ministers emphasizing that Moscow is not only seeking to damage public morale but also to cripple the economy by disrupting the energy network.
As the situation evolves, analysts have indicated that this fourth winter of Russia's invasion will critically test Ukraine's defensive capabilities. President Volodymyr Zelensky remarked that these attacks reinforced the necessity for unwavering Western sanctions on Russian energy to increase pressure on Moscow.
Zelensky's appeals came shortly after the U.S. granted Hungary an exemption from restrictions on purchasing Russian oil and gas, sparking concerns that financial gains from such deals could fuel further Russian military operations against Ukraine.
In a heartfelt message on Telegram, Zelensky stated, For every Moscow strike on energy infrastructure - aimed at harming ordinary people before winter - there must be a sanctions response targeting all Russian energy, with no exceptions. He urged for coordinated action from the U.S., Europe, and the G7 to respond effectively to this urgent situation.
The ramifications of these attacks extend beyond immediate devastation; they are a harbinger of the broader geopolitical struggles at play. For ordinary Ukrainians, the debate surrounding sanctions has significant consequences, highlighting the direct link between Russia's oil sales and its capacity to sustain military aggression.
