A Russian Buk-2M missile system fires at aerial targets in Ukraine, as shown in a photo released on August 25, 2024. The location of the firing is not disclosed. AP Photo
In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing conflict, Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine early Monday morning. Over 100 missiles and a similar number of drones targeted various parts of the country, resulting in at least four deaths, injuries to more than a dozen people, and extensive damage to critical energy infrastructure.
The assault began just after midnight and continued into the morning, marking one of the most significant attacks Russia has executed in recent weeks. The barrage hit areas from Kharkiv in the northeast to Odesa in the south and Kyiv, the capital, which experienced explosions and disruptions to both power and water supplies. Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that Kyiv was heavily affected, with major infrastructure damaged.
Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal reported that the strikes hit 15 out of Ukraine's 24 regions, including the capital and other key areas. "The energy infrastructure has once again become the target of Russian terrorists," Shmyhal said. To stabilize the power grid, the state-owned operator Ukrenergo has been forced to implement emergency power cuts. Shmyhal called on Ukraine’s allies to supply long-range weapons and permission to strike the sites from which the Russian missiles are launched.
In response to the attacks, U.S. President Joe Biden condemned the strikes as "outrageous" and pledged increased support. He announced that the U.S. would expedite air defence exports to Ukraine and send energy equipment to repair the damaged infrastructure.
According to Russia's Defence Ministry, the attack involved "long-range precision air- and sea-based weapons and strike drones" targeting critical energy facilities that support Ukraine's military capabilities. Russian officials claimed all intended targets were successfully hit.
The assaults led to blackouts across various regions. In Sumy, nearly 200 settlements lost power entirely, with many others experiencing partial outages. The private energy company DTEK has introduced emergency blackouts, and efforts are underway to restore power as quickly as possible. To assist residents during these outages, officials have set up "points of invincibility," where people can charge their devices and access basic necessities.
Meanwhile, in Poland, which borders Ukraine, air defences were activated in response to the increased threat. In Russia, officials reported Ukrainian drone attacks that injured four people in Saratov, where residential buildings were hit. Russian authorities claimed to have intercepted 22 Ukrainian drones across several regions.
Additionally, fighting continues in the Kursk region, where recent Ukrainian incursions have raised concerns about a local nuclear power plant. The International Atomic Energy Agency is sending its chief, Rafael Grossi, to visit the site on Tuesday.
