By: The Trek News Desk
Russia has intensified its strikes on Ukraine’s energy networks, leaving thousands of homes in Kyiv and Kharkiv without power and heating. Ukrainian officials reported on Tuesday that after a brief pause, a new wave of missile and drone attacks targeted the country’s critical infrastructure.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said approximately 1,170 residential buildings lost heating due to the attacks. Emergency services reported three injuries in the capital. In Kharkiv, shelling left two people wounded.
Oleh Synehubov, head of Kharkiv’s military administration, said the strikes were aimed at “maximising damage and depriving cities of heating during the coldest days of winter.” Authorities reported that heating had to be shut off in over 800 homes, urging residents to use 24-hour open “heating points” for warmth.
At the time of the attacks, temperatures had dropped to –17°C in Kyiv and –23°C in Kharkiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia deliberately exploited “the coldest days to terrorise civilians.” According to him, the strikes involved more than 70 missiles and roughly 450 attack drones.
Following the attacks, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte visited Kyiv and laid flowers with Zelensky at a memorial. The visit came just ahead of the second round of trilateral peace talks scheduled to begin in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. The first round had failed to produce a major agreement.
Despite some localised “signs of peace,” major disagreements remain between Ukraine and Russia. Moscow continues to seek full control over Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, which Kyiv has refused to cede.
In January, Russia accelerated its military operations in Ukraine, capturing nearly 481 square kilometres, a significant territorial gain for the winter months in the four-year conflict.
Ukrainian officials say Russia’s approach is aimed at maintaining “constant pressure and spreading fear among civilians.”
Source: News Agencies
