Russia targets Ukraine's power grid in massive aerial attack

Russia launched a massive aerial attack against Ukraine on Friday with dozens of cruise missiles and drones.

Ukraine's energy minister Herman Halushchenko said Russia targeted the country's energy grid. “The enemy continues its terror,” he said.

Halushchenko said energy workers were working to “minimise negative consequences for the energy system,” promising to release more details on damages once the security situation allows it.

Ukraine’s air force reported multiple strike drones launched at Ukraine overnight followed by swarms of cruise missiles in country’s air space. It said Russia also used air-launched ballistic Kinzhal missiles against Ukraine’s western regions.

Friday’s attack is the latest in a series of such raids that have sparked fears that the Kremlin is targeting Ukraine's power grid as a cold winter is about to set in.

Russia has relentlessly pummeled Ukraine’s electricity system since launching its invasion in 2022.

Its attacks have resulted in the repeated shutdown of critical heating and drinking water supplies during the bitter winter months in an apparent attempt to break Ukrainian spirits and resolve.

Moscow argues that the attacks aim to target Ukraine’s defence industry producing missiles, drones, armored vehicles and artillery among other weapons.

The previous such massive attack on 28 November involved about 200 missiles and drones and left more than a million households without power until emergency teams restored supplies.