Early Sunday morning, towns and cities throughout Ukraine awoke to a devastating wave of Russian missile and drone attacks. Authorities confirmed these extensive bombardments were largely orchestrated to cripple the nation’s critical energy infrastructure, signaling a renewed, deadly phase of aggression.
This grim reality was immediately evident in places like Sloviansk, where a wounded man was captured being carefully transported on a stretcher amidst the chaos, symbolizing the immediate human cost of the conflict.
President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that approximately 500 Russian attack drones and 50 missiles were launched overnight. The drone incursions persisted into Sunday afternoon, underscoring the relentless nature of the assault.
Tragically, these attacks resulted in the deaths of at least five individuals, with many more sustaining injuries. Ukrainian authorities have cautioned that these casualty figures are expected to climb as rescue efforts continue.
In a powerful statement, President Zelensky condemned the aggression, declaring, “Today, the Russians once again targeted our infrastructure — everything that ensures normal life for our people.” He emphasized the urgent need for enhanced protection and swift implementation of defense agreements, particularly in air defense, to neutralize “this aerial terror.”
Responding to the crisis, Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, publicly reiterated Europe’s unwavering commitment to supporting Ukraine. She denounced Russia’s actions as “terror attacks on Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure,” vowing continued support “as long as needed.”
The western Ukrainian city of Lviv bore the brunt of many overnight attacks. Local authorities reported a devastating strike on a house in the village of Lapaivka, on the outskirts of Lviv, which tragically claimed the lives of four family members and injured at least three others. Images from the scene showed a man climbing a ladder to survey a destroyed upper floor of a gray house, with other individuals looking out from the damaged structure, underscoring the immense personal toll.
Following the assaults, smoke billowed over Lviv’s historic center, and large swathes of the region plunged into darkness as power outages became widespread. Emergency teams worked tirelessly to restore essential services. This grim scenario unfolded across numerous other Ukrainian regions, including Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kherson, Odesa, and Kirovohrad, all reporting significant damage from the strikes.
The Ukrainian Air Force confirmed that Russia’s overnight arsenal included 496 attack drones and 53 missiles. While many were intercepted, an Air Force statement indicated that 57 drones and 14 missiles successfully bypassed air defense systems.
The Ministry of Energy highlighted that a significant number of recent attacks have deliberately targeted Ukraine’s energy grid, leading to widespread power disruptions. This tactic mirrors a recurring pattern observed each winter since Russia’s full-scale invasion commenced in February 2022, underscoring a strategic effort to destabilize the nation.
Another poignant scene emerged from Zaporizhzhia, showing a woman with a bloodied bandage on her head, appearing emotional as she surveyed a damaged room with a broom in her hand, a powerful testament to the destruction inflicted by Sunday’s strikes.
In the southern Zaporizhzhia region, local authorities confirmed one fatality and reported that 73,000 residents were left without electricity following the intense Sunday strikes.
The energy ministry assured the public that “emergency repair and restoration work is ongoing to restore electricity as quickly as possible,” as teams strive to alleviate the impact of the widespread blackouts.