Kyiv, Ukraine — A large-scale Russian aerial assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure overnight left more than 1 million people without power and plunged parts of the country into freezing conditions, authorities said, as peace talks in the United Arab Emirates continued without a breakthrough.
The overnight bombardment, described by Ukrainian officials as one of the most intense since the start of the war, involved hundreds of drones and missiles targeting the capital and other regions, damaging power lines and critical distribution networks. At least one civilian was killed in Kyiv and dozens were injured in strikes that also hit Kharkiv and other populated areas.
Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said that about 1.2 million properties nationwide were left without electricity in sub-zero winter temperatures as a result of the attack. In Kyiv alone, roughly 800,000 households were without power, and many buildings lost central heating, exacerbating hardship during one of the coldest periods of the war.
Local authorities reported that more than 3,000 residential buildings remained without heat late into Saturday night, down only slightly from earlier in the day. Emergency services have been mobilized to restore services, with over 160 crews working on repairs amid dangerous conditions.
Citizens described dire conditions, especially for vulnerable residents such as the elderly and people with disabilities. Some have resorted to makeshift heating solutions as power outages persist around the city.
Ukraine’s air force reported that Russian forces unleashed hundreds of aerial weapons, including drones and missiles, in the overnight assault. Kyiv’s air defences were activated, engaging waves of incoming targets.
The strikes came as US-mediated peace talks in Abu Dhabi entered their second day. Delegates from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States met to negotiate an end to the conflict, but no ceasefire or agreement was reached by the end of the session. Both sides indicated openness to further talks next week.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the talks as “constructive,” but Russian bombardment during the discussions was widely viewed as undermining diplomatic efforts.
In Kharkiv, local officials reported multiple drone strikes that damaged residential and medical facilities, including a maternity hospital, and caused dozens of injuries.
The broader energy crisis in Ukraine has intensified in recent weeks, with repeated attacks on substations, power plants, and transmission lines leaving civilians struggling in freezing conditions and prompting calls for enhanced air defence systems from Western allies.
International responses have varied, with the European Union announcing emergency energy assistance and some governments condemning the timing of the attacks amid peace negotiations.
Originally Published By: AP News Reuters and The Guardian
Disclaimer: This report is based on information from external news agencies and official statements. It has been edited for clarity and length and does not reflect the views of this publication.
Editorial Desk is the official editorial byline of The Global Confluence, used for staff-written reports, news updates, and institutional analysis produced in line with the publication’s editorial policies and standards.