President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine is trying to get heat and power back on following a huge overnight Russian attack on energy facilities and civilian infrastructure amid a cold spell.
Zelenskyy said 20 residential buildings were damaged in and around Kyiv and that four people were killed in the capital, including a member of an ambulance crew. He said dozens were injured and described a second strike that hit a residential building as first responders were assisting victims after an earlier impact. Reuters separately reported that a late Thursday drone attack on Kyiv killed four and injured at least 19, citing Ukrainian officials, reported by Reuters.
Zelenskyy said Russia launched 242 drones, 13 ballistic missiles, 22 cruise missiles and one Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile. He said the ballistic missiles targeted energy sites and that the government would convene an “Energy Staff” meeting Friday to set restoration timelines and identify needed equipment and responsible officials.
He also alleged that a Russian drone hit a building at Qatar’s embassy in Kyiv. He called for a clear international response and told partners to put air-defense support at the top of their list of priorities.
In a separate update, Zelenskyy said he briefed U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey on the strikes and discussed bolstering Ukraine’s air defenses.
European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas called Russia’s reported use of an Oreshnik missile “a clear escalation” and urged faster air-defense deliveries and tougher sanctions, according to Kaja Kallas.
Recently, President Donald Trump has rejected Russia’s claim that the Oreshnik strike was retaliation for an attempted Ukrainian drone attack on President Vladimir Putin’s residence, Reuters reported. A State Department spokesperson said the U.S. remains focused on ending the war through diplomacy, reported by Fox News Digital.
