 "Massive overnight Russian strikes kill 3 in Ukraine, leave 600,000 homes without power")
Ukraine said three people were killed and nearly 30 injured in a massive overnight Russian drone and missile assault that also triggered large-scale power outages across the country. More than 600,000 households in the Kyiv region, including over 500,000 in the capital, were left without electricity after strikes hit key energy facilities, according to the energy ministry.
Officials reported that Russia launched around 36 missiles and nearly 600 drones in the attack, which targeted energy infrastructure and several residential buildings. Loud explosions shook Kyiv early Saturday, with emergency crews later seen responding to burning apartment blocks. Mayor Vitaly Klitschko said a 13-year-old child was among 29 people injured in the city.
Ukraine’s Air Force said it intercepted 558 drones and 19 missiles.
Moscow’s defence ministry described the assault as “a massive strike… against Ukrainian military-industrial complex enterprises and the energy facilities that support their operation.” The strikes come as Russia ramps up attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure heading into winter, despite US-led diplomatic efforts.
Temperatures in Kyiv are expected to drop to 2°C on Sunday, with sub-zero weather typical for December.
Ukraine has also stepped up long-range strikes on Russian refineries and depots, saying the goal is to cut off revenue fuelling Moscow’s war effort.
The latest barrage coincides with preparations for Ukrainian talks with US officials this weekend. US President Donald Trump is pushing a draft peace plan, initially seen as favouring Russia but later revised after consultations with Kyiv and European allies in Geneva. President Volodymyr Zelensky has welcomed diplomacy but insists Ukraine must retain its sovereignty and ability to deter future attacks.
On Thursday, President Vladimir Putin repeated that Russia would halt its offensive only if Ukrainian troops withdrew from territories claimed by Moscow. Russian forces currently hold most of the eastern Donbas and parts of the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, while the US and European partners have discussed freezing the conflict along current frontlines.
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View AllPutin also confirmed that a US delegation, including special envoy Steve Witkoff, will visit Moscow in the first half of next week to discuss the draft peace proposal.
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