Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said dozens of people were hurt, including children, in a massive Russian strike across eight regions of Ukraine overnight into Thursday.
The aerial attack involved 420 drones and 39 missiles, Zelensky said, and it followed his call with U.S. President Donald Trump.
“Last night, Russia once again waged war on critical infrastructure and ordinary residential buildings,” Zelensky said on social media, adding that private homes and apartments were struck.
Two U.S. envoys attempting to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, were also on the call between Zelensky and Trump ahead of bilateral talks in Geneva on Thursday.
Zelensky said gas infrastructure in the Poltava region was hit during the Russian attack. In the Kyiv and Dnipro regions, electrical substations were struck.
Russia has targeted Ukrainian energy infrastructure during the bitterly cold winter months, leaving civilians without heating or power for extended periods of time.
“Most missiles launched today were successfully intercepted thanks to our partners swiftly sending part of the air defense missiles agreed upon at the recent Ramstein meeting,” Zelensky said.
“Unfortunately, there were also hits. And this means we must continue working even more actively.
“The cold has not yet fully receded, and air defense missiles are needed every single day while Russia continues its attempts to destroy our energy system. I thank everyone who understands this and helps us.”
Neighboring Poland, a NATO ally, scrambled jets in response to the Russian attack on Ukraine.
This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
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