Russian Drone Hits 15 Ukrainian Regions, Damages Energy Infrastructure

Russian forces launched a significant drone assault on 15 Ukrainian regions overnight, damaging energy infrastructure and residential buildings, Ukrainian authorities reported on Thursday. The Ukrainian air force claimed to have intercepted 78 out of 105 Russian drones, with an additional 23 likely neutralized by electronic jamming.

Key energy infrastructure, including power lines and substations in the Kyiv, Odesa, and Ivano-Frankivsk regions, was damaged, according to Ukraine’s energy ministry. The attacks also caused temporary railway disruptions and power outages in Odesa. While power was restored to over 3,000 consumers in Odesa, around 2,000 households remained without electricity, said regional governor Oleh Kiper.

In Kyiv and its surrounding areas, approximately 15 drones were shot down during an air raid lasting over five hours. Several central regions, including Poltava, Cherkasy, and Kirovohrad, reported minor property damage.

Russia’s defense ministry confirmed targeting Ukrainian energy facilities, claiming these were powering Ukraine’s military operations, according to state news agency TASS. Though Moscow denies intentionally targeting civilians, strikes on towns and cities behind the front lines have become routine. A recent attack in Kharkiv injured at least 10 people when a Russian-guided bomb hit an apartment block, sparking fires.

With winter approaching, Russia has ramped up drone and missile strikes on Ukraine’s energy grid. In response, Kyiv has urged its allies to ease restrictions on using Western-supplied long-range weapons to strike deeper into Russian territory, aiming to limit Moscow’s capacity to launch future assaults. On Thursday, Ukraine’s military announced it had used US-provided ATACMS missiles to strike a Russian radar station, disrupting Russia’s ability to track and intercept targets. The timing and location of the strike were not disclosed.