Blasts Rock Kyiv Amid Russia’s Largest Missile Barrage Since August

Blasts echoed across Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, and other cities early Sunday as Russia launched its most extensive missile assault in months, targeting critical power infrastructure as winter looms. Ukrainian officials had been bracing for such an attack, fearing devastating blows to the nation’s energy grid that could lead to prolonged blackouts and heighten psychological strain amidst the ongoing war.

“Another massive attack on the power system is underway. The enemy is attacking electricity generation and transmission facilities throughout Ukraine,” Energy Minister German Galushchenko announced on Facebook.

Power Grid in Crisis

The coordinated missile and drone strikes forced authorities to preemptively cut power to several areas, including Kyiv, surrounding regions, and Dnipropetrovsk, to prevent electrical surges in case of damage. The Volyn region in northwestern Ukraine reported energy infrastructure damage, though officials withheld specific details due to wartime security concerns.

In Mykolaiv, overnight drone strikes claimed two lives, according to the regional governor. Explosions also shook Zaporizhzhia, the Black Sea port city of Odesa, Kryvyi Rih, and Rivne, illustrating the widespread scope of the assault.

Deadly Attacks on Civilians and Infrastructure

Kyiv’s air defenses engaged incoming drones overnight, and powerful blasts rocked the city center in the morning. Falling debris ignited a fire on the roof of a residential building, injuring at least two people. Emergency services quickly responded, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed.

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called the assault one of Russia’s largest air offensives to date, describing it as the Kremlin’s “true response” to international leaders who recently engaged with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The statement appeared to target German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who spoke with Putin by phone on Friday for the first time since late 2022.

Regional and NATO Response

Poland, a NATO member bordering Ukraine, heightened its defense readiness in response to the Russian missile strikes. Polish air force jets were scrambled, and ground-based air defense systems were placed on high alert. “All available forces and resources were activated,” Poland’s armed forces operational command posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s air force repeatedly urged civilians to seek shelter as cruise, ballistic, and hypersonic missiles streaked across the skies. While the overall extent of the damage remains unclear, officials underscored the attacks’ dual intent: striking both civilians and critical infrastructure.

Escalation of Hostilities

Sunday’s assault is the largest since August 26, when over 200 drones and missiles targeted Kyiv and other regions, leaving seven dead. This latest barrage underscores the increasing intensity of the conflict as it enters its second winter following Russia’s invasion in February 2022.

Zelenskiy on War’s End

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy expressed optimism about a potential resolution to the war, suggesting that it could conclude more swiftly under the leadership of former U.S. President Donald Trump.

A Nation Under Siege

As winter sets in, Ukraine faces the compounded challenges of a relentless aggressor and an energy crisis engineered by Moscow’s targeted strikes. The nation’s resilience is once again being tested, as millions brace for prolonged darkness in the face of an unyielding campaign of destruction.