Russian Strikes Leave 600,000 Ukrainians Without Electricity.
Russian Strikes Leave 600,000 Ukrainians Without Electricity.
Russian missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure have left about 600,000 people without electricity, President Volodymyr Zelensky said, raising fresh doubts about a proposed halt to attacks on energy facilities.
The overnight assault targeted infrastructure in Kyiv and the surrounding region, as well as the northeastern city of Kharkiv. Ukrainian officials said residential areas and critical services were also affected. At least six people were killed and dozens injured, according to reports following the attack.
Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 39 ballistic and cruise missiles and more than 120 drones. It reported intercepting four missiles and 115 drones. The weapons that got through damaged energy facilities, disrupting power supplies as crews worked to assess the damage and restore service.
The strikes came days after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an immediate pause in attacks on energy facilities. Moscow has not clearly confirmed that it accepted the proposed arrangement, leaving uncertainty over whether a ceasefire was formally in effect.
Zelensky accused Russia of continuing to target Ukraine’s energy system despite the diplomatic push. The latest damage adds pressure on a network that has repeatedly been hit during the war, and could complicate efforts to maintain electricity and heating for households and essential services.
The attack also raises questions about how any energy ceasefire would be monitored and enforced. Without clear confirmation from both sides and a shared understanding of which sites are protected, each new strike risks undermining confidence in the proposal.
Ukrainian repair teams were assessing damaged facilities and working to reconnect affected customers. The full extent of the destruction and the timeline for restoring power remained unclear.
The power cuts underscore the vulnerability of Ukraine’s infrastructure as the war continues. For residents, the immediate concern is when electricity will return; for negotiators, the attack presents a test of whether the proposed pause can move beyond an announcement and become a functioning agreement.
