Kiev: Power, heating, and water supplies were disrupted across parts of Kiev following renewed Russian attacks, leaving more than 1 million consumers without electricity, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
According to Ghana News Agency, Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that 5,635 high-rise apartment buildings were without heating after the strikes on the Ukrainian capital. Most of these buildings had already sustained damage during a major Russian attack on January 9, he stated in a post on Telegram.
The Ukrainian Air Force noted that Russia executed the overnight assault using a combination of missiles and drones. A total of 372 drones, one Zircon anti-ship missile, 15 Kh-101 cruise missiles, and 18 ballistic missiles were launched against Ukraine. The air force confirmed that air defenses intercepted 342 of the incoming objects, although some strikes reached their targets.
The Russian military acknowledged carrying out a large-scale airstrike but claimed that only military targets in Ukraine were hit. In Kiev, police reported one person injured.
Besides damage to energy infrastructure, residential buildings and private vehicles were impacted, with several cars catching fire after being struck by falling drone debris. Water supplies were also disrupted on the left bank of the Dnipro river, Klitschko mentioned.
In his evening video message, Zelensky stated that over 4,000 apartment blocks in the capital were without heating. He urged the energy supplier Ukrenergo, the government, regional authorities, and city administrations to address the situation, emphasizing that every hour should be dedicated to the energy sector.
Zelensky criticized the air force's defense against the Iranian-designed Shahed combat drones as unsatisfactory, calling for a reorganization of its operations. He discussed the issue with Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, cautioning that there would be consequences. On Monday, Zelensky announced the reorganization of the air defense forces, appointing Pavlo Yelizarov, the successful commander of a drone unit, as deputy commander of the air force.
Kiev is experiencing its most challenging winter since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion nearly four years ago. Russia has been systematically targeting Ukraine's energy system, significantly weakening the grid and resulting in daily power outages lasting several hours. A series of heavy attacks on the capital earlier this month, coupled with sustained sub-zero temperatures, has exacerbated conditions for Kiev's residents. Authorities have established emergency shelters where people can warm up, collect water, and charge mobile phones.