Russia launches massive air strike on Ukraine with 375 drones
Russian forces targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure with 21 missiles and 375 drones, causing significant blackouts and civilian casualties across multiple regions.
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By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press
KIEV, UKRAINE — Russian forces launched an extensive aerial assault across multiple Ukrainian regions overnight, utilizing a combination of 21 missiles and 375 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to target critical energy infrastructure.
The Ukrainian Air Force Command confirmed the large-scale operation, noting that the barrage included cruise, hypersonic, and ballistic missiles. While air defense systems successfully intercepted 15 missiles and 357 drones, the remaining strikes caused severe damage to civilian facilities and the national power grid, leading to widespread emergency blackouts.
Energy infrastructure and civilian targets
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the strikes deliberately targeted civilian life and essential services in the capital, Kiev, as well as the Kharkiv, Sumy, and Chernihiv regions. In Kharkiv, the assault damaged a maternity hospital, a medical college, and a dormitory for displaced persons. President Zelenskyy emphasized that the Russian military's primary objective in and around the capital was the destruction of the energy sector.
Casualties and utility crises in Kiev
Kiev Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko reported at least one fatality and four injuries in the capital resulting from the debris and direct strikes. The damage to critical infrastructure left approximately 6,000 buildings without heating during the winter surge. Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba added that more than 800,000 subscribers in Kiev and 400,000 in the Chernihiv region lost power immediately following the attacks.
Regional impact and emergency repairs
In Kharkiv, Regional Military Administration Head Oleg Sinegubov confirmed that 19 people were injured and are currently receiving hospital treatment. Ukrenergo, the national electricity transmission operator, has implemented emergency power cuts to stabilize the grid while repair crews work to restore service. Authorities indicated that while repair efforts are underway, the scale of the damage necessitates a gradual restoration of the energy supply across the affected provinces.
