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Russia launched a massive overnight attack on Ukraine Saturday, deploying 653 drones and 51 missiles in one of the largest aerial assaults in recent months. Ukrainian forces intercepted most projectiles, shooting down 585 drones and 30 missiles, though attacks still damaged infrastructure in 29 locations across the country.
At least eight people were wounded in the widespread strikes, according to Ukrainian Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko. The barrage triggered air raid alerts throughout Ukraine, with drone sightings reported as far west as the Lviv region, hundreds of miles from the front lines.
Ukraine’s national energy operator, Ukrenergo, reported that power stations and other critical energy infrastructure were primary targets in the attack. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed energy facilities suffered significant damage and noted that a drone strike had “burned down” the train station in Fastiv, a city in the Kyiv region.
In a particularly concerning development, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant temporarily lost all external power during the attack, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. Though the plant is not operational, it requires reliable electricity to cool its six shutdown reactors and spent fuel to prevent potential nuclear incidents. The facility, Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, has been under Russian control since the early months of the invasion.
The overnight assault coincided with Ukraine’s Armed Forces Day, a national holiday honoring the country’s military. This timing appears deliberate, adding symbolic weight to Russia’s attack as Ukraine commemorated its defenders.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces conducted their own drone strikes against Russian territory, with the Russian Ministry of Defense claiming to have shot down 116 Ukrainian drones overnight. Ukrainian military officials confirmed striking the Ryazan Oil Refinery deep inside Russia, continuing Kyiv’s months-long campaign targeting Russian petroleum infrastructure. Videos shared on Russian Telegram channels showed fires and smoke rising from the facility.
These Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries serve a strategic purpose – reducing Moscow’s oil export revenue, which directly funds its war effort. Simultaneously, Russia’s persistent attacks on Ukrainian power infrastructure appear designed to deprive civilians of heat, electricity, and water as another harsh winter approaches, in what Ukrainian officials describe as “weaponizing” cold weather conditions.
The escalation in hostilities comes amid delicate diplomatic efforts to find a path toward ending the nearly four-year conflict. President Zelenskyy reported having a “substantive phone call” with American officials currently engaged in talks with a Ukrainian delegation in Florida.
These negotiations, initiated by President-elect Donald Trump’s team, continued for a third day on Saturday. Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner have been meeting with Ukrainian representatives Rustem Umerov and Andriy Hnatov to develop a security framework for postwar Ukraine.
Following Friday’s discussions, both sides issued a joint statement indicating progress, while acknowledging that “real progress toward any agreement” would ultimately depend on “Russia’s readiness to show serious commitment to long-term peace.”
“Ukraine is determined to keep working in good faith with the American side to genuinely achieve peace,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media after being briefed on the talks.
In a separate diplomatic development, officials announced that the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany will meet with Zelenskyy in London on Monday, underscoring continued European engagement in supporting Ukraine despite the uncertain future of Western military aid.
As winter intensifies across the region, these parallel tracks of intense combat operations and behind-the-scenes diplomacy highlight the complex dynamics of a conflict that continues to reshape European security architecture while inflicting immense suffering on Ukraine’s civilian population.
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14 Comments
The temporary loss of power at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant during the attacks is a grave concern. The risks of a nuclear accident in the midst of this conflict are unthinkable. All parties must prioritize the safety of that facility.
Absolutely. The international community must intervene to ensure the Zaporizhzhia plant’s security and stability. A nuclear disaster would be catastrophic for the region and the world.
The scale and intensity of these Russian strikes is staggering. I’m impressed by Ukraine’s ability to intercept so many missiles and drones, but the damage to infrastructure is still severe. This conflict seems far from resolution.
It’s clear Russia is trying to break Ukraine’s will through these relentless attacks on the civilian population and critical facilities. The international community needs to hold Russia accountable and provide more support to Kyiv.
While diplomatic talks continue, Russia appears to be doubling down on its military aggression. This pattern of escalating attacks is extremely worrying. I hope the negotiations can lead to a ceasefire and eventually a peaceful resolution.
While I’m encouraged by Ukraine’s ability to intercept many of the missiles and drones, the sheer scale of these Russian attacks is alarming. The potential for further escalation and civilian suffering is deeply concerning.
Absolutely. The world must remain vigilant and united in its support for Ukraine. Protecting civilian lives and infrastructure should be the top priority as this conflict continues.
This latest Russian assault underscores the brutality and disregard for human life that has characterized this conflict. The international community must keep the pressure on and provide Ukraine with the resources it needs to defend itself.
It’s heartbreaking to see the toll this war is taking on the Ukrainian people. These relentless strikes on civilian infrastructure are a clear violation of international law. Russia must be held accountable for its war crimes.
This latest Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine is extremely concerning. It seems to have caused significant damage to critical infrastructure, including the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. I hope the international community can put more pressure on Russia to end these reckless attacks.
Agreed, the assault on Ukraine’s energy grid is deeply troubling. The potential for a nuclear disaster at Zaporizhzhia is terrifying. The world must take action to protect civilians and prevent further escalation.
The damage to Ukraine’s energy grid is particularly worrying. Attacks on critical infrastructure like power plants could have devastating humanitarian consequences as winter approaches. This conflict is far from over.
This conflict seems to be escalating in concerning ways. I hope the diplomatic talks can make progress and lead to a ceasefire, but Russia’s actions suggest it may be unwilling to negotiate in good faith. The world is watching.
Agreed, Russia’s behavior is deeply troubling. The international community must continue to exert pressure and provide Ukraine with the support it needs to defend its sovereignty.