Russia unleashed a barrage of 120 missiles and 90 drones in a “massive combined strike” overnight, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
In an update on Telegram, Zelensky Vladimir Putin’s invading forces had deployed various types of drones including Iranian-made Shaheds, while also launching cruise, ballistic and aircraft-launched ballistic missiles.
140 air targets were shot down by Ukrainian defenses, Zelenskyy said, as Russia targeted energy infrastructure across the country, triggering emergency power cuts.
“The enemy’s target was our energy infrastructure throughout Ukraine,” he wrote. “Unfortunately, there is damage to objects from hits and falling debris.
“In Mykolaiv, as a result of a drone attack, two people were killed and six others were injured, including two children,” Zelenskyy said.”
Two others lost their lives in the Odesa region, which saw damage to energy infrastructure and disrupted power and water supplies in the attack, according to loval governor Oleh Kiper.
Polish and allied aircraft were mobilised in Polish airspace to provide safety in border areas, the operational command of Poland’s armed forces said, as per Sky News.
According to local reports, explosions were heard across the country, including in the capital Kyiv, the key southern port of Odesa, and western and central regions.
The Russian defence ministry confirmed it launched a strike on energy facilities that have been supplying Ukraine’s military-industrial complex, according to Russian news agencies.
Private energy company DTEKA said a thermal power plant it operates was “seriously damaged” in the wave of Russian strikes.
Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said the overnight assault was Russia’s “true response” to leaders interacting with Vladimir Putin.
His comments appeared to in reference to a phone call that reportedly took place between German leader Olaf Scholz and the Russian President on Friday.
Scholz told Putin that the deployment of North Korean troops against Ukraine representated “grave escalation” of the conflict, government sources said, as per The BBC.
The German Chancellor urged Putin to end the conflict and remove Russian troops from Ukraine, according to reports.
The Kremlin said described the conversation as “a detailed and frank exchange of opinions on the situation in Ukraine”, and said “the very fact of dialogue is positive”.
Russian strikes have been pummelling Ukraine’s power infrastructure since Putin’s invasion began in February 2022.
The attacks have necessitated repeated emergency power shutdowns and seen the country plunged into rolling blackouts, AP reports.
Kyiv have time and again called on Western allies to strengthen Ukraine’s country’s air defenses to allow it to counter attacks by Putin’s forces and give a them time to carry out repairs.
