Ukraine under fire: 600,000 left without electricity amid mutual attacks with Russia
Ukraine has come under a large-scale Russian assault in recent hours, leaving more than 600,000 people without electricity, including half a million in the capital, Kyiv.
The attack resulted in deaths and injuries, while peace negotiations mediated by the United States continue without any tangible progress.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Energy stated that the strikes targeted vital facilities in Kyiv and five other regions, casting a shadow over civilian life and directly affecting the city’s essential infrastructure. Emergency teams are working to restore power gradually, but the extent of the damage makes the task challenging.
At the same time, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha announced that the attack killed two people and injured 24 others, including 15 in Kyiv. He added that Russia had launched dozens of cruise and ballistic missiles, as well as more than 500 drones, targeting homes, power networks, and other vital facilities. In a post on X, Sybiha wrote: “While the world discusses peace plans, Russia continues its own plan of killing and destruction.”
Explosions throughout the night terrified the capital’s residents, while other regions reported drone-and-missile interceptions amid repeated government warnings of possible further casualties.
Peace talks challenged by battlefield realities
The escalation comes as Ukraine continues its negotiations with the United States regarding the terms of a potential peace agreement. Washington is seeking to mediate between Kyiv and Moscow to end a war that has lasted nearly four years. Kyiv and its European allies say they are committed to peace but have rejected some initial conditions proposed by Washington, including any withdrawal from Russian-controlled territories or future restrictions on military alliances.
The Ukrainian government stresses that ongoing Russian attacks complicate the negotiation process and highlight the scale of the obstacles to any meaningful peace agreement on the ground.
Russia faces consequences of Ukrainian attacks
Meanwhile, Russian authorities reported a limited fire at the Afypsky oil refinery in the Krasnodar region of southern Russia, caused by debris from drones launched by Ukraine.
They stated that the fire had been quickly contained and that the tanks were not affected, although some technical equipment sustained minor damage.
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that air-defense units had intercepted and destroyed 103 Ukrainian drones overnight across several Russian regions, including eleven over Krasnodar.
In a separate incident, a Russian oil facility suspended its operations after a maritime drone attack, according to the local operator. Moscow continues assessing the damage and working to secure energy supplies.
Drone warfare intensifies tensions
The latest wave of attacks highlights the growing reliance of both sides on drones in military operations, further complicating the humanitarian and security situation. Analysts note that these operations signal a shift in the nature of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, where targeting civilian and energy infrastructure has become a strategic tool of mutual pressure, even as peace talks continue.
Civilians in Kyiv and other affected areas try to maintain their routines amid repeated blackouts, while the government warns of new Russian attacks. The international community reiterates the urgent need for a political solution to prevent further loss of life and economic destruction.
