KYIV,
Nearly half of Ukraine’s capital was left without heating, electricity and water after a large-scale Russian aerial attack overnight, as authorities struggled to restore essential services during freezing winter temperatures.
Ukrainian officials said the bombardment, which targeted energy infrastructure across multiple regions, caused widespread damage in Kyiv, where temperatures fell to around minus 14 degrees Celsius. At least one person, a 50-year-old man, was killed near the capital, authorities said.
Residents reported hearing air raid sirens and explosions throughout the night as Ukraine’s air defence systems intercepted drones and missiles. The strikes marked another severe blow to the capital’s energy network, which has been repeatedly targeted since Russia’s full-scale invasion began nearly four years ago.
Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa said almost half of Kyiv was experiencing power outages following the attack. Mayor Vitali Klitschko later said more than 5,600 residential buildings, roughly half of the city’s apartment blocks, were without heating, adding that many areas were also cut off from running water.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian forces had launched a large barrage of ballistic and cruise missiles alongside more than 300 attack drones. He said the strikes focused heavily on energy facilities, worsening an already fragile situation as winter deepens.
Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said energy infrastructure had been hit in at least seven regions and called on Ukraine’s allies to urgently strengthen air defence support. Writing on social media, he said the attack underlined the need for continued international backing for Ukraine.
The assault came less than two weeks after one of the most damaging attacks on Kyiv’s energy grid since the start of the war. A strike on January 9 left around half the city without heating and electricity for several days, forcing authorities to impose emergency conservation measures.
Most of the buildings affected in the latest attack were among those previously damaged earlier this month, officials said. Schools in Kyiv remain closed until February, while street lighting has been dimmed to reduce pressure on the power system.
Ukraine’s air force said Russia fired more than 330 long-range drones and dozens of missiles during the overnight attack. Authorities in other regions also reported damage. In western Rivne, officials said critical infrastructure was hit, leaving around 10,000 households without electricity. In the southern Odesa region, a drone crashed into a residential building and damaged energy facilities, while an industrial site caught fire in the eastern Poltava region following another strike.
Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraine’s energy system, a strategy Kyiv says is aimed at undermining civilian morale and disrupting daily life during winter. The Kremlin has denied deliberately targeting civilians, saying its attacks are directed at military-related facilities.
The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for senior Russian military officials over attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, saying the strikes amount to war crimes because of their impact on civilians. Ukrainian authorities do not disclose specific details about damaged facilities due to wartime security concerns.
As repair efforts continue, officials warned that restoring heat and power to all affected areas could take time, with further strain expected if attacks persist during the winter months.
