Russia launched a massive drone and missile attack on Ukraine on Sunday, in what officials described as the largest assault in recent months. The attack targeted energy infrastructure and resulted in civilian casualties.
Fears are mounting about Moscow’s intentions to devastate Ukraine’s power generation capacity ahead of the cold winter. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that Russia had launched a total of 120 missiles and 90 drones in the widespread attack. Various types of drones were deployed, including Iranian-made Shaheds, as well as cruise, ballistic, and aircraft-launched ballistic missiles.
Ukrainian defense forces successfully shot down 140 air targets, according to Zelensky’s statement on Telegram.
“The enemy’s target was our energy infrastructure throughout Ukraine. Unfortunately, there is damage to objects from hits and falling debris. In Mykolaiv, two people were killed and six others were injured, including two children, as a result of a drone attack,” Zelensky said.
This combined drone and missile attack was the most powerful in three months, as stated by the head of Kyiv’s City Military Administration, Serhii Popko.
Russian strikes have been targeting Ukraine’s power infrastructure since Moscow’s invasion in February 2022, leading to emergency power shutdowns and nationwide blackouts. Ukrainian officials have been urging Western allies to strengthen the country’s air defenses to counter these assaults and facilitate repair work.
Explosions were reported across Ukraine on Sunday, including in Kyiv, Odesa, and other regions. The operational command of Poland’s armed forces mobilized Polish and allied aircraft, including fighter jets, in response to the “massive” Russian attack on Ukraine.
One person was injured in Kyiv after a five-story residential building caught fire. In Mykolaiv, at least two people were killed and six were wounded, including two children. A thermal power plant operated by DTEK, a private energy company, was significantly damaged in the attack.
