Russia unleashed a massive overnight drone-missile strike on Ukraine [Photo: X]
A massive wave of Russian air attacks struck Ukraine overnight — even as US and Ukrainian envoys were holding peace talks. The assault deployed over 653 drones and 51 missiles against critical infrastructure across several regions. The bombardment damaged power plants, rail networks, and caused widespread heating and water outages, deepening suffering for civilians just as winter grips the country.
According to Ukraine’s air force, Russian forces launched 653 drones and 51 missiles. Ukrainian air defenses shot down 585 drones and 30 missiles, but still, at least 29 locations were hit. Key targets included power and energy facilities in regions such as Chernihiv, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv and Dnipropetrovsk.
A railway hub near Kyiv, in the town of Fastiv, was also struck — damaging a depot and rail carriages and forcing major train cancellations. In the southern Odesa region, thousands of people lost essential services: roughly 9,500 homes lost heating and about 34,000 lost water supply.
The assault disrupted everyday life across Ukraine. Widespread blackouts and cuts to heating and water left countless households without basic services — especially critical as winter begins. Factories and power plants had to cut output.
Transportation also suffered. The hit on the railway hub near Kyiv forced train cancellations, cutting rail connections for many. The damage escalates humanitarian risks just as cold weather sets in — raising concern for vulnerable populations dependent on heating and water access.
This massive strike came while Ukrainian and US officials were in negotiations aimed at ending the nearly four-year war. Russia’s offensive appears timed to increase pressure and undermine Ukraine’s infrastructure, even as diplomacy continues.
Ukraine condemned the raids as deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure. Ukrainian officials framed the strikes as a hammer against not just military targets, but the daily survival of ordinary people.
Emergency repair crews are already mobilised to restore power, heat and water where possible, but full restoration may take time, especially with the ongoing winter cold and continuing risks of further attacks. Rail services around Kyiv may remain disrupted until damaged infrastructure is repaired and future attacks are prevented.
The strike puts added urgency on negotiations, but also raises serious doubts about whether peace talks can succeed — as long as Russia continues its campaign of infrastructure attacks.
This large-scale drone and missile assault shows that, even during diplomatic efforts, Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure remains under grave threat. The coming days will reveal whether Ukraine can restore basic services — or whether winter brings deeper hardship for millions.
