In one of the heaviest overnight assaults in recent weeks, Russia has launched a massive wave of missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, targeting energy infrastructure, military facilities, and residential areas. The attack which Ukrainian officials described as “aerial terror” left at least five people dead and several others injured, while causing widespread power outages in multiple regions.
According to Ukraine’s Air Force, Russia fired 53 missiles and nearly 500 drones in a coordinated assault that lasted through the night. Ukrainian air defenses claimed to have intercepted 39 missiles and 439 drones, preventing what could have been even greater devastation. Despite those efforts, several missiles struck power stations and energy facilities, triggering blackouts and fires across western and southeastern Ukraine.
Lviv and Zaporizhzhia Among the Hardest Hit
Local authorities reported that four people were killed in Lviv, western Ukraine, after a missile struck near a residential area. Another person died in Zaporizhzhia, where more than 73,000 residents were left without electricity following damage to the regional grid. Emergency crews are currently working to restore power in affected areas, though officials warn that some outages may last for days.
Footage shared by Ukrainian media showed burning buildings, destroyed vehicles, and emergency services working through the night amid ongoing air raid sirens. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strikes, accusing Russia of “waging war not just against Ukraine, but against civilians and vital infrastructure that keeps people alive.”
Ukraine Responds With Counterstrikes
In retaliation, Ukraine launched long-range drone and missile attacks deep into Russian territory, targeting what it said were “strategic military and industrial sites.” Kyiv claimed hits on the Sverdlov ammunition plant in Nizhny Novgorod, an oil terminal in occupied Crimea, and a Russian ammunition depot belonging to the 18th Combined Arms Army.
Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed intercepting over 250 Ukrainian drones across several regions, including Crimea, Belgorod, Kursk, Voronezh, Nizhny Novgorod, and areas near Moscow. However, independent sources have not yet verified the full extent of the damage inside Russia.
Power Grid Targeted Ahead of Winter
The latest assault appears to be part of a broader Russian strategy aimed at crippling Ukraine’s energy network ahead of the winter season. Analysts say Moscow is intensifying attacks on power infrastructure to pressure Kyiv and its Western allies.
Energy facilities in multiple Ukrainian regions were hit simultaneously, suggesting the strikes were designed to overwhelm air defenses. The Ukrainian Energy Ministry confirmed “significant damage” to several substations and warned of temporary power restrictions to stabilize the grid.
Western Reaction and Strategic Implications
Ukraine’s Western allies have condemned the latest assault, but President Zelenskyy expressed frustration over what he called a “zero real reaction” from some partners. He renewed his call for additional Patriot missile systems and long-range air defense support, arguing that current resources are insufficient to counter repeated Russian barrages.
Military analysts believe the scale of Russia’s attack shows its continued reliance on drone swarms and cruise missiles to strain Ukraine’s defenses. At the same time, Ukraine’s ability to strike deep inside Russian territory signals its growing drone capabilities, a development that could shift the dynamics of the ongoing conflict.
As both nations trade accusations and escalate aerial warfare, the situation on the ground remains volatile. Humanitarian groups are warning of increased civilian suffering as winter approaches and power disruptions spread across the country.
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