 "Russia hits Ukraine's gas sites as Zelenskyy flies to meet Trump")
Russia launched a massive wave of drone and missile attacks against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure early Thursday, hitting key gas facilities just as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy began his trip to Washington to meet with President Donald Trump.
Russia launched a massive attack with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles, knocking out power in eight parts of Ukraine. It’s the latest move in a clear strategy to wear down Ukraine’s energy system before winter hits.
The latest assault targeted gas sites in central and eastern Ukraine, including the Shebelinka gas processing plant in the Kharkiv region, where large columns of black smoke and fierce fires were visible after the attack. Staff confirmed the facility was struck by drones and missiles shortly after 5:30 am.
President Zelenskyy confirmed the scale of the attack on X, stating, “Russia launched more than 300 attack drones and 37 missiles, a significant number of them ballistic, against Ukraine.”
He stressed that Moscow is using every day this autumn to destroy energy infrastructure, noting hits in regions including Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Poltava, Sumy, and Vinnytsia.
The Ukrainian energy grid operator announced emergency power outages immediately following the strikes. Russia, through its defence ministry, claimed the strikes targeted military facilities with Kinzhal missiles as a “response” to attacks on Russian refineries.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsFocus on Tomahawk missiles
The aggressive strikes hit right as the diplomacy was heating up.
President Zelenskyy is in Washington for talks with President Trump, focusing on the possibility of the US providing Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles.
This potential shift in US military aid follows a period of warming relations between the two leaders, with Trump recently showing greater frustration toward Moscow and increasing sympathy for Kyiv.
The potential delivery of Tomahawk missiles—which could place Moscow and other major Russian cities within striking range—is highly controversial. Russia has already issued warnings, stating that such a move would severely damage US-Russia ties and escalate the conflict.
Ukrainian officials are also meeting with representatives from US arms manufacturers, including Raytheon (which produces the Tomahawk), to discuss the logistics of potential deliveries.
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