Russia carried out another large-scale missile and drone assault on Ukraine overnight Friday into Saturday, heavily targeting the country’s energy infrastructure, Ukrainian authorities said. The strikes injured several people and left thousands of families without electricity across multiple regions, intensifying pressure on Ukraine’s power system as winter conditions persist.
Ukrainian officials described the overnight barrage as one of the most significant combined attacks in recent weeks, with the Odesa region bearing the brunt of the assault.
What Happened
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia launched a total of 465 drones and 30 missiles — including air-, sea-, and ground-based missiles — during the overnight attack. The main direction of the strike was southern Ukraine, particularly the Odesa region.
Air defense forces said they successfully shot down or electronically suppressed 417 drones and 13 missiles. Despite those efforts, 33 drones and eight missiles struck targets at 18 locations, while debris from intercepted weapons fell at three additional sites. Authorities are still investigating where six other missiles landed after failing to reach their targets.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the scope of the damage in a post on X, stating that emergency services were working to restore electricity and water supplies in affected communities.
“Once again, the main strike targeted our energy sector, the south of the country, and the Odesa region,” Zelenskyy wrote.
Impact on Energy Infrastructure
Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy confirmed that the Russian missile and drone strikes targeted electricity generation, distribution, and transmission facilities in the Dnipropetrovsk, Chernihiv, Odesa, and Mykolaiv regions.
As of Saturday morning, customers in the Odesa, Chernihiv, Kherson, Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovohrad, and Mykolaiv regions remained without power. Thousands of families were affected, with authorities warning that restoration efforts could take time due to the scale of the damage.
The attack once again underscored Russia’s continued focus on crippling Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, a strategy Ukrainian officials say is aimed at disrupting civilian life.
Injuries and Regional Damage
At least two people were injured in the Odesa region, according to Ukrainian officials. In the Mykolaiv region, the situation was more severe, with at least five people injured, said Vitaliy Kim, head of the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration.
Kim said all critical infrastructure facilities in Mykolaiv had to switch to operating on generators following what he described as a “massive attack.”
In Odesa, the strikes caused widespread power disruptions. Serhiy Lysak, head of the Odesa City Military Administration, said all traction substations lost power, forcing the temporary suspension of tram and trolleybus services across the city.
Ukraine’s Response and Ongoing Efforts
Zelenskyy said emergency crews, energy workers, and utility services were working around the clock to restore electricity and water supplies. Authorities emphasized that repair teams are operating under difficult conditions, as repeated attacks complicate recovery efforts.
Ukraine’s air defense forces highlighted the high interception rate as evidence of continued improvements in defensive capabilities, while also stressing the urgent need for additional air defense systems to protect critical infrastructure.
Official Statements or What Happens Next
Ukrainian officials warned that further attacks on energy infrastructure remain likely, as Russia has repeatedly targeted power facilities throughout the conflict. The government continues to appeal to international partners for increased air defense support and assistance in repairing damaged energy systems.
Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing to assess the full extent of the damage and determine the exact impact of the missiles that failed to reach their targets.
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
