Russia Launches Overnight Missile and Drone Strikes on Kyiv, Causing Power Outages and Civilian Casualties
Kyiv, Ukraine — Overnight Russian missile and drone attacks plunged large parts of Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, into darkness, leaving thousands without power and water. The strikes, which hit energy facilities and residential buildings, injured at least nine people, according to Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko.
The latest barrage marks a sharp escalation in Moscow’s assault on Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, as winter approaches and energy demand rises. City officials confirmed that five of the injured victims were hospitalized following the overnight bombardment, which also disrupted heating and water supplies in several eastern districts of the capital.
Firefighters and emergency crews worked through the night to extinguish flames at a 10-story apartment building struck by debris from downed drones and missiles. Images shared by Ukraine’s State Emergency Service showed scenes of devastation — smoke billowing from upper floors as crews battled to contain fires amid shattered glass and debris.
Child Killed in Zaporizhzhia as Attacks Intensify Across Ukraine
While Kyiv endured widespread blackouts, tragedy struck in the southern region of Zaporizhzhia, where a seven-year-old child was killed during a separate Russian drone strike. Three other people were injured, regional governor Ivan Fedorov confirmed, describing the overnight assault as “intense and relentless.”
Much of Zaporizhzhia remains a frontline zone, with parts of the region under Russian occupation since the early stages of the full-scale invasion in 2022. Recent days have seen repeated night-time air raids, targeting both military and civilian sites, leaving residents fearful of further strikes.
The child’s death underscores the growing human cost of Russia’s renewed offensive against Ukraine’s energy grid and urban centers. Hospitals and schools in the region have reported intermittent power outages, forcing authorities to rely on generators to maintain essential services.
Moscow Targets Energy Infrastructure as Temperatures Drop
Ukrainian officials say Russia has intensified its campaign against the country’s energy infrastructure, striking critical facilities that power millions of homes. According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, Moscow launched over 450 drones and more than 30 missiles in recent days, describing the attacks as “cynical, calculated, and directed at everything that sustains normal life.”
Zelensky warned that the goal of these attacks is to cripple Ukraine’s energy grid ahead of winter, repeating last year’s strategy that left much of the country without heat during freezing temperatures. “Russia is deliberately trying to destroy our ability to provide light and warmth to our citizens,” he said during a press briefing in Kyiv.
Ukraine’s Energy Minister, Svitlana Hrynchuk, confirmed that repair crews are working around the clock to restore electricity in the affected areas. “Russia is inflicting a massive strike on our energy sector,” she said. “Despite the damage, our engineers are doing everything possible to stabilize the grid.”
Zelensky Urges Western Allies for “Decisive Action”
President Zelensky once again called on Ukraine’s allies — particularly the United States, European Union, and G7 nations — to take “real, tangible steps” in response to Russia’s attacks. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “What’s needed is not symbolic gestures but decisive action — from air defense systems to strict enforcement of sanctions against Russia.”
Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine urgently needs more advanced air defense systems to protect cities from Russia’s drones and hypersonic missiles, such as the Kinzhal, which can travel at speeds that make them difficult to intercept. “These attacks are not random — they are designed to terrorize civilians and break our national resilience,” he said.
Western partners have provided Ukraine with several air defense systems, including Patriot and NASAMS, but Ukrainian officials insist that more are needed to cover the country’s vast territory.
Kyiv Residents Face Harsh Conditions Amid Ongoing Threat
In Kyiv, residents have begun preparing for a difficult winter as power outages become more frequent. Many households are stockpiling batteries, candles, and bottled water, while city authorities have reopened “invincibility centers” — shelters where people can charge devices, stay warm, and access the internet during blackouts.
Local authorities have also warned that Russia could intensify attacks as temperatures continue to fall. “Our air defense forces are on full alert,” Mayor Klitschko said. “Every night, we face the threat of new missile and drone attacks. The goal is to keep morale high and ensure people’s safety.”
Emergency sirens have become a near-constant feature of life in the capital, with residents often spending hours in basements and underground shelters. Despite the danger, Kyiv’s spirit remains unbroken. “We are used to the darkness now,” one resident told local media. “As long as we are free, no blackout can stop us.”
A Nation Under Continuous Attack
Ukraine’s military reported that the latest wave of strikes included both Shahed drones, supplied by Iran, and long-range cruise missiles. Most of them were intercepted, but debris from downed drones caused fires and damage to civilian buildings.
The Ukrainian Air Force said that all regions of the country remain under high alert for potential Kinzhal missile attacks — weapons capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads. These missiles pose one of the greatest challenges for Ukraine’s defense systems due to their speed and unpredictability.
In the coming days, military analysts warn, Russia is likely to maintain pressure on Ukraine’s energy network, hoping to weaken public morale and strain the country’s limited repair resources.
Ukraine’s Resilience and Global Support
Despite the heavy damage, Ukraine continues to demonstrate resilience in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression. Crews restoring power lines and repairing substations have been hailed as national heroes. International aid groups are also stepping up efforts to supply generators, insulation materials, and emergency heating systems to help Ukrainian communities withstand the coming cold months.
Zelensky expressed gratitude to allies for their support but reiterated that Ukraine needs more than words — it needs action, equipment, and enforcement. “The world must see that energy terrorism will not go unpunished,” he said.
As Kyiv struggles to recover from the latest wave of Russian strikes, one thing remains clear: Ukraine’s determination to stand firm against Moscow’s aggression has not wavered — even in darkness.