Dozens Wounded in Large Russian Drone Attacks Across Ukraine

Ukraine Reports Power Outages in Occupied Zaporizhia Region

A Ukrainian drone strike on Saturday has left over 200,000 people without power in the Russian-occupied part of Zaporizhia, according to Moscow-installed Governor Yevgeny Balitsky. The attack was one of several across Ukraine, with strikes also reported in other regions including Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Odesa.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the situation in Ukraine’s energy system remains challenging, but efforts are being made to restore services as quickly as possible. He noted that this week has seen a significant increase in drone attacks, with over 1,300 drones, around 1,050 guided aerial bombs, and 29 missiles launched.

Zelenskyy also called on world leaders for more protection, particularly air defense systems, stating that Ukraine needs decisive action to address the ongoing conflict. Ukrainian negotiators arrived in the United States earlier this week for talks with President Donald Trump’s administration on security guarantees and post-war recovery.

The conflict has resulted in significant damage to Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, leading to an acute energy crisis. The capital, Kyiv, and regions such as Kharkiv and Zaporizhia have been particularly affected by power outages. Temperatures are currently below freezing throughout the southeastern region, exacerbating the situation.

The United Nations has condemned Russia’s assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, highlighting the vulnerability of children and the elderly. The Ukrainian government has declared an energy emergency due to the damaged power grid meeting only 60% of the country’s electricity needs.

Source: Al Jazeera