Russia has launched a large-scale missile and drone bombardment on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, hours after Volodymyr Zelensky said talks with the US on ending the three-year war would take place next week.
Ukraine came under a “massive missile and drone” attack, Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko wrote on Facebook. At least 10 people, including a child, were injured, authorities said.
“Russia is trying to hurt ordinary Ukrainians by striking energy and gas production facilities, without abandoning its goal of leaving us without light and heat, and causing the greatest harm to ordinary citizens,” Halushchenko wrote.
Ukranian energy company Dtek said the Russian attack significantly damaged its gas production facilities in the the Poltava region.
The Russian Defence Ministry later confirmed the attack.
Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraine’s power grid during the war. The attacks have depleted electricity generation capacity and disrupted critical heating and water supplies.
Ukrainian officials have accused Russia of “weaponising winter” in an effort to erode civilian morale.
Western-supplied air defence systems are crucial for Ukraine’s fight but further US help is uncertain under President Donald Trump, who says he is determined to end the war and has paused American military aid for Kyiv as a way of pressuring Mr Zelensky to negotiate.
In his nightly address, Mr Zelensky said on Thursday he would travel to Saudi Arabia on Monday to meet the country’s crown prince, and his team would stay on to hold talks with US officials.
Mr Zelensky welcomed a European Union plan to bolster the continent’s defences. He expressed hope that some of the new spending could be used to strengthen Ukraine’s own defence industry.
