Kyiv, Ukraine — A powerful wave of Russian air attacks battered Ukraine overnight, killing at least five civilians and wounding dozens more in one of the largest coordinated assaults in recent months. The strikes, which spanned nine regions, targeted both civilian areas and critical energy infrastructure, deepening fears of renewed power shortages as winter approaches.
According to Ukrainian officials, Russia launched more than 50 missiles and nearly 500 drones, striking major cities including Lviv, Zaporizhzhia, and Sloviansk. The scale of the attack overwhelmed local defenses, causing fires, blackouts, and widespread damage to residential neighborhoods.
Civilian Casualties and Regional Impact
In Lviv, western Ukraine, four people — including a 15-year-old teenager — were killed after missiles hit residential buildings and warehouses. Rescue teams worked through the night to pull survivors from the rubble.
In Zaporizhzhia, another civilian died and nine others were injured after an industrial site and surrounding homes were hit. Officials said power was cut to over 70,000 households, with technicians working urgently to restore the grid.
Meanwhile, in Sloviansk, a guided bomb destroyed part of an apartment complex, injuring several residents and damaging nearby shops and public facilities.
“The enemy deliberately targets civilians,” said regional governor Maksym Kozytskyi. “This is not warfare — it’s terrorism.”
Infrastructure and Power Grid Under Attack
Ukraine’s energy infrastructure was among the primary targets. Multiple transformer stations, substations, and energy storage facilities were damaged or destroyed, triggering emergency power cuts in several cities.
The Ministry of Energy warned that repair work could take days, emphasizing that repeated attacks on the national grid are designed to “weaken Ukraine’s resilience before winter.”
Transport and communication services were also disrupted, with several railway lines temporarily suspended in the western regions.
Zelenskyy Condemns “Aerial Terror”
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strikes as a campaign of “aerial terror” and urged Western allies to accelerate delivery of advanced air defense systems, including Patriot and NASAMS batteries.
“Every drone and missile launched at our people is proof that Ukraine needs stronger skies,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly address. “The world cannot allow Russian terror to become routine.”
Global Reaction and Escalation Concerns
International reaction was swift. NATO officials condemned Moscow’s “indiscriminate targeting of civilians,” while Poland scrambled its fighter jets to monitor potential airspace violations during the attack.
Moscow’s Defense Ministry, however, claimed it had struck “military and energy-related facilities,” insisting all targets were “legitimate.” Yet, satellite images and local reports confirmed severe damage to residential neighborhoods, schools, and power plants.
As Ukraine braces for the colder months, fears are mounting that Russia will intensify its energy warfare strategy, seeking to plunge the country into darkness once more.
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