Post by : Badri Ariffin

In one of its most extensive air strikes of the year, Russia launched over 650 drones and nearly 40 missiles against Ukraine in a synchronized assault that started late at night and extended into daylight on Tuesday, according to Ukrainian officials. This assault resulted in the deaths of at least three civilians, including a four-year-old child, while widespread power outages occurred in freezing winter conditions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that the barrage impacted homes and critical energy infrastructure in 13 regions, causing significant power shortages just two days prior to Christmas. The attack occurred shortly after Zelenskyy characterized recent peace discussions as “quite solid,” casting doubt on Moscow’s true intentions.

Zelenskyy declared, “This is an extremely clear signal of Russian priorities,” in a statement shared on Telegram. He pointed out that the timing of these strikes—over the holiday season and during ongoing diplomatic activities—indicated that Russian President Vladimir Putin intends to persist in the conflict. Numerous Ukrainian and European leaders have accused the Kremlin of not engaging genuinely in U.S.-led diplomatic initiatives.

As per Ukraine’s air force, Russia deployed 635 drones of different types along with 38 missiles. Ukrainian air defense units successfully intercepted 587 drones and 34 missiles, averting even worse destruction. Despite these high interception rates, debris and effective strikes still caused considerable casualties and infrastructure damage.

Emergency responders confirmed the death of a four-year-old child in the northwestern Zhytomyr region. In Kyiv, a woman succumbed to injuries after a drone hit her, and another civilian was killed in the western Khmelnytskyi region, as reported by Zelenskyy.

This latest attack marks the ninth significant Russian strike on Ukraine's energy grid this year. Acting Energy Minister Artem Nekraso stated that emergency power outages were enforced nationwide, impacting several western regions. Restoration efforts will commence once security conditions permit, officials confirmed.

Ukraine's largest private energy supplier, DTEK, reported that the strikes targeted its thermal power stations, marking the seventh significant attack on its facilities since October. DTEK noted its plants have endured over 220 strikes since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, leading to four worker fatalities and 59 injuries.

Local officials in Rivne, Ternopil, Lviv, and the northern Sumy region confirmed damage to energy infrastructure and power outages. In Odesa, regional governor Oleh Kiper stated that energy facilities were struck along with port, transport, industrial, and residential areas.

The assault unfolded amidst ongoing efforts by U.S. President Donald Trump to advocate for a negotiated resolution to the conflict. While U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff described recent discussions with Ukrainian and European officials in Florida as “productive and constructive,” Trump took a more measured tone, stating that conversations were “proceeding smoothly.”

As winter's chill deepens and negotiations reveal stark divisions between Moscow and Kyiv, Tuesday's bombardment highlights the precarious state of peace efforts and the severe impact the conflict continues to impose on civilians throughout Ukraine.

#Global News