Ukraine-Russia battle newest: Putin’s forces knock out energy in Ukrainian cities as hundreds with out warmth
Tens of thousands have been left without heat, power and water in Ukrainian cities after Russia battered the country’s energy system with drones and ballistic missiles overnight.
In Kyiv alone, around 3,500 apartment buildings were without heating on Thursday after the latest attack knocked out supplies to nearly 2,600 high-rises, on top of the 1,100 already affected by previous strikes, mayor Vitali Klitschko said.
More than 100,000 families were without electricity, according to private energy firm DTEK, which said one of its thermal power plants had been targeted but did not disclose the location.
In Odesa, nearly 300,000 people were left without water as the attack disrupted power supplies, deputy prime minister Oleksiy Kuleba said. He added that close to 200 buildings in the strategic Black Sea port were left without heating.
The attack comes as EU leaders are gathering in Belgium to discuss how to resist pressure from Russia, as well as the United States and China.
The summit follows Volodymyr Zelensky’s dismissal of reports that he is planning to announce elections on the anniversary of Russia‘s full-scale invasion of his country on 24 February.
Ukraine foreign minister says attacks on energy grid ‘a blow to peace efforts’
Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the attack as undermining peace push led by US president Donald Trump to end the four-year war.
“No one can close eyes to Russian terror. It is happening right now in the middle of Europe. Despite the Olympic Truce and US-led peace efforts.”
Kremlin says it expects next round of peace talks on Ukraine to happen soon
The Kremlin said on Thursday that it expected the next round of peace talks on Ukraine to happen soon and that there was already an understanding about their timing and location.
Three sources familiar with the matter have told Reuters that US officials have proposed a trilateral meeting on Monday and Tuesday in Miami.
“We have a certain understanding (of the details), and we will keep you informed,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
“We expect the next (third) round of talks to take place soon.”
Putin’s forces knock out power in Ukrainian cities as thousands without heat
Russia pounded Ukraine with drones and ballistic missiles overnight on Thursday, further battering its energy system and leaving tens of thousands in the capital Kyiv and the cities of Dnipro and Odesa without heat, power and water, officials said.
In Kyiv alone, around 3,500 apartment buildings were without heating on Thursday after the latest attack knocked out supplies to nearly 2,600 high-rises, on top of the 1,100 already affected by previous strikes, said Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
More than 100,000 families were without electricity, according to private energy firm DTEK, which said one of its thermal power plants had been targeted but did not disclose the location.
Two people were hurt in the attack on Kyiv, which also hit a residential building, Klitschko said.
In Odesa, nearly 300,000 people were left without water as the attack disrupted power supplies, deputy prime minister Oleksiy Kuleba said.
He added that close to 200 buildings in the strategic Black Sea port were left without heating.
Ukrainian drone strike causes fire at refinery in Russia’s Arctic Komi region, governor says
The head of Russia’s northern Komi Republic, Rostislav Goldshtein, said on Thursday that a Ukrainian drone attack had caused a fire at an oil refinery.
No one was injured, he said on Telegram.
Watch: Deadly Russian attacks in Zaporizhzhia intensify as Zelensky nears peace deal decision
Russia attacks another Ukraine’s thermal power plant, says company DTEK
Ukraine’s major private energy company DTEK said on Thursday that Russia attacked its thermal power plant overnight, causing significant damage to the plant’s equipment.
“This is the eleventh massive attack on the company’s thermal power plants since October 2025,” DTEK said on the Telegram messenger, giving no more details.
The Ukrainian daring the Winter Olympics to disqualify him over war tribute helmet
Ukrainian racer Vladyslav Heraskevych says he is prepared to be kicked out of the Winter Olympics for wearing a banned helmet featuring images of athletes killed during the Russian war – insisting he will not betray those who have lost their lives.
But the 27-year-old hit back and slammed the IOC for comparing the war to other conflicts around the world, as a major row erupted.
Another 2,600 Kyiv buildings without heat after major Russian attack
Nearly 2,600 more apartment buildings were left without heating in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv following a Russian attack overnight, mayor Vitali Klitschko said.
Klitschko said the buildings were located both on the left and right bank of the Dnipro River, in four city districts.
More than 1,100 apartment buildings remained without heating as a result of the previous attacks, he added.
Russia attacks another thermal power plant in Ukraine, knocking out power for thousands
Russian forces have attacked a thermal power plant in Ukraine overnight, causing significant damage to the plant’s equipment, Ukraine’s major private energy company DTEK said this morning.
“This is the eleventh massive attack on the company’s thermal power plants since October 2025,” DTEK said on its Telegram channel but did not share more details on the location of the attack.
Nearly 300,000 people were left without electricity and water supply in Ukraine’s southern city of Odesa after a Russian attack, deputy prime minister Oleksiy Kuleba said.
He added that nearly 200 buildings in the city were left without heating while 10,000 consumers were also without heating in the southeastern city of Dnipro.
Source: independent.co.uk
