Russian drone and missile strikes in Kyiv resulted in injuries to over 20 individuals, damaged residential structures, and triggered power outages across parts of Ukraine early on Friday, as revealed by authorities. Tragically, a child lost their life in separate assaults in the southeastern region of the nation.
In the core of Ukraine’s capital, emergency teams rescued more than 20 people from a 17-story apartment building while flames consumed the sixth and seventh floors. Five individuals were hospitalized, with others receiving immediate medical assistance on-site, officials confirmed.
Describing the terrifying experience, 61-year-old resident Tetiana Lemishevska recounted to The Associated Press, “Everyone was sleeping and suddenly there was such a sharp sound; it was clear that something was flying. I managed to pull the blanket over my head and then the strike hit — it blew out the windows and the glass flew almost all the way to the door.” She further added, “The fire was on the sixth or seventh floor at first, and the flames went up quickly and spread to other floors. So all the people who could left the building without knowing how it would end.”
Ukraine’s air force disclosed that the recent Russian assault featured 465 strike and decoy drones, along with 32 varied missiles. Air defenses successfully intercepted or jammed 405 drones and 15 missiles, as per official reports.
In the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, residential zones and energy facilities faced bombardment by attack drones, missiles, and guided bombs, resulting in the tragic death of a seven-year-old boy and injuries to his parents and several others, according to military administration sources. A hydroelectric plant in the vicinity was shut down preventively.
Responding to the attacks, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted that the Russian strikes targeted civilian and energy infrastructure as Ukraine braced for the approaching winter season. Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko characterized the assault as one of the most extensive concentrated strikes against Ukraine’s energy network.
Ukraine’s national energy operator, Ukrenergo, reported power outages in various regions, including Kyiv. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko indicated that the assault caused power disruptions on both sides of the city, divided by the Dnipro River. Repair efforts were swiftly initiated at numerous damaged thermal plants by Ukraine’s largest electricity operator, DTEK.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the energy sector has become a pivotal battleground. Russia’s strategy appears to focus on destabilizing the Ukrainian power grid ahead of the harsh winter months, which typically last from late October through March, with January and February being the coldest periods.
In a show of solidarity, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, during a visit to Lviv in western Ukraine, expressed Poland’s willingness to assist its eastern neighbor with electricity generation and additional supplies. He remarked on the escalation of these attacks, attributing them to intimidation tactics ahead of the winter season.
Accusations have been exchanged, with Russia also claiming that Ukraine targeted energy facilities. Notably, the governor of Russia’s Volograd region alleged that a drone attack from Ukraine set off fires at energy installations there, without providing further details.
