Russia Launches Massive Air Campaign Targeting Kyiv Power Grid, Kills Four

Kyiv is transitioning to scheduled power outages, canceling emergency power outages that were introduced in parts of Kyiv city, Chernihiv, and Zhytomyr regions.

This follows Russia's anticipated air campaign targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure, which began Tuesday night into Wednesday. Drones and ballistic missiles struck power plants and other energy infrastructure in and around Kyiv and across the country. At least four people, including a child, were killed in and around Kyiv, with a young child found under rubble.

Russia deployed a jet-powered drone with a specialized warhead designed to destroy high-voltage power pylons and steel bridge structures for the first time. Presidential adviser Serhii Beskrestnov stated the warhead contains a 40-kilogram main charge and four destructive modules, suggesting plans to target critical transmission lines. President Volodymyr Zelensky reported Russia's overnight assault involved nearly 190 attack drones and ballistic missiles, primarily targeting energy infrastructure in Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast.

Ukraine's main energy provider DTEK confirmed grid damage, affecting 8,000 households, and generating equipment at the Trypillia thermal power plant near Kyiv was damaged. Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi noted that while Russia has attacked energy infrastructure almost daily since summer, this combined attack's scale is unprecedented since the last heating season. Foreign minister Andrii Sybiha described Russia's intensified terror tactics, using jet-powered drones during the day and ballistic/cruise missiles at night.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported downing 160 targets, five missiles, and 155 drones out of 188 drones and various missiles launched. Critical infrastructure was also struck in Zhytomyr, Mykolaiv, Kirovohrad, and Rivne regions. The attacks caused dozens of trains to run late, with delays up to 13 hours. Ukraine's weather service announced the first overnight frosts from Thursday, highlighting the critical need for winter energy supply.