Putin warns Kyiv leadership following energy grid strikes.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened Kyiv’s leadership with strikes using the new Oreshnik ballistic missile, following a major assault on Ukraine’s energy grid. The attacks left over one million people without power and targeted multiple cities, though Ukrainian forces intercepted missiles aimed at Kyiv. President Zelensky accused Russia of using cluster munitions and warned against nuclear intimidation. As winter approaches, Ukrainian officials fear further attacks on the power grid, which could exacerbate the humanitarian crisis. The strikes come amid escalating tensions and discussions of Western military support for Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a warning to target decision-making centers in Kyiv using Russia’s new ballistic missile, the "Oreshnik." This announcement came after a large-scale Russian assault on Ukraine’s energy grid, which Putin described as retaliation for recent strikes on Russian territory using U.S.-supplied Atacms missiles.
The overnight attacks, described as “comprehensive,” involved waves of drones and missiles striking across Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strikes, accusing Russia of using cluster munitions against civilian and energy infrastructure, which he said severely hampered rescue and repair efforts. The attacks left over one million Ukrainians without power, although no fatalities were reported.
The Russian barrage included 90 missiles, 100 drones, and the Oreshnik missile, which Putin claimed is impervious to interception. However, U.S. officials believe Russia possesses only a limited number of these experimental missiles and would need time to produce more.
In his nightly address, Zelensky accused Putin of seeking to prolong the war and pressure the United States into accepting Russia’s terms. He also warned of severe consequences for any attempts at nuclear intimidation, referencing the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, which left Ukraine without nuclear weapons in exchange for security assurances.
The overnight strikes targeted cities across Ukraine, including Odesa, Kharkiv, Lutsk, and Kyiv. Ukrainian authorities reported that all missiles targeting the capital were intercepted, but the energy grid suffered significant damage. Emergency power outages were implemented in 12 regions, with hundreds of thousands of people left without electricity in western areas such as Lviv and Rivne. Authorities in Kherson warned of prolonged blackouts lasting days.
As winter approaches, Ukrainian officials fear a renewed Russian effort to cripple the country’s energy grid. Temperatures are falling, and the first snowfalls have already arrived, raising concerns about how the population will endure the harsh months ahead. Officials believe Russia has been stockpiling missiles for further large-scale assaults on Ukraine's energy system.
These developments come amidst reports of discussions in Western nations about bolstering Ukraine’s defense capabilities, including controversial suggestions of nuclear assistance, though no official confirmation has been made.
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