Russia launched a fresh wave of overnight attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, killing two people and injuring several others in Kyiv, Ukrainian officials said Wednesday. The strikes ignited fires across multiple districts of the capital, including residential and cultural areas.
The attacks came just as the planned summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump was shelved after Moscow rejected calls for an immediate ceasefire. The White House confirmed there were no plans for a meeting in the near future.
Ukraine’s Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk said the assault targeted critical energy facilities nationwide and described the barrage as “massive and ongoing.”
Why It Matters
The strikes underscore Moscow’s continued strategy of targeting Ukraine’s energy grid ahead of winter a tactic aimed at crippling civilian infrastructure and weakening public morale.
The cancellation of the Putin–Trump summit highlights a deepening diplomatic rift between Washington and Moscow, dampening hopes for any near-term de-escalation or humanitarian relief.
With Kyiv’s power and water systems again under threat, Ukraine faces renewed energy shortages that could intensify hardship for civilians as temperatures drop.
Ukrainian Officials: Reported that ballistic missiles and drones were used in the strikes. Kyiv’s mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed fires and rescues across the capital, while military chief Timur Tkachenko described “widespread destruction.”
White House: Confirmed that the Putin–Trump meeting is on hold following Russia’s refusal to engage in a ceasefire dialogue.
Regional Governors: In Poltava, oil and gas facilities were damaged; in Zaporizhzhia, 13 people were injured amid ongoing shelling.
Humanitarian Monitors: Warn that renewed strikes on power grids could leave hundreds of thousands without heat or electricity, repeating last winter’s crisis.
Russia: Offered no immediate comment, maintaining that energy targets remain legitimate military objectives.
What’s Next
Ukraine’s emergency services continue rescue and recovery efforts in affected districts, while repairs to damaged energy sites are underway.
The shelving of the U.S.–Russia summit effectively freezes diplomatic momentum, making further escalation likely as winter approaches.
Observers expect Ukraine to intensify calls for Western air-defense support, while Washington weighs new sanctions and aid packages in response.
With the war entering its third winter, the latest attacks suggest Moscow’s pressure campaign is far from over, and prospects for diplomacy remain grim and uncertain.
Wit information from Reuters.
