Russia has used a record number of ballistic missiles to target Ukraine’s energy sector, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
The combined missile and drone strikes hit power plants and infrastructure in Kyiv and multiple locations causing “the most powerful blow” so far this year, according to private energy company DTEK.
The strikes were launched as temperatures dropped to -20C (-4F) and left more than 1,000 tower blocks in the capital without heating once again and damaged a power plant in the eastern city of Kharkiv beyond repair.
Zelensky said Russia was “choosing terror and escalation” rather than diplomacy to end this war and called for “maximum pressure” on Moscow from Ukraine’s allies.
The attack comes after a so-called “energy truce” agreed by Donald Trump with Vladimir Putin expired at the weekend.
Ukraine’s president suggested that Russia had simply used the time to stock up on missiles and prepare for the next attack.
It also came on the day Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte was in Kyiv to meet President Zelensky and to address the national parliament.
Donald Trump’s initiative was meant to give diplomacy a chance. Negotiators from Russia and Ukraine are due to meet in Abu Dhabi for another round of talks co-ordinated by the US later this week.
It is clear that Russia has other ideas.
And in fact, there is always a gap between Russia’s massive strikes which makes Ukrainians doubt there was ever any real pause at all.
We heard the first explosions in Kyiv soon after midnight and the air raid lasted more than seven hours. There were several subsequent blasts.
Residents spent the night sheltering in metro stations, with some pitching tents on the platforms to protect them from the freezing cold.
President Zelensky has said more than 70 ballistic and cruise missiles were fired – significantly more than usual – together with 450 drones which are used to overwhelm Ukraine’s air defences.
Ukraine’s Air Force said it had intercepted only 38 of the missiles, which means many reached their target.
Officials here have complained repeatedly of a shortage of missiles to protect the skies. Ukraine relies on US-made Patriot missiles, in particular.
“Timely delivery of missiles for air defense systems and the protection of normal life are our priority,” Zelenksy wrote on X this morning. “Without pressure on Russia, there will be no end to this war.””
By Anthony Solly
