Mass Russian Aerial Barrage Cuts Power for Over 1 Million in Kyiv

Overview

• Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched about 339 strike drones and 34 missiles overnight, overwhelming defenses and resulting in strikes on 11 locations.
• More than one million residents in the capital lost electricity in severe cold near −14°C, with 5,635 residential buildings reporting no heat and widespread water disruptions.
• The IAEA confirmed damage to substations tied to nuclear safety and reported that the Chernobyl site was cut off from external electricity.
• Officials reported at least one person killed near Kyiv, a woman injured in the city, and damage to homes and a primary school.
• Ukrenergo ordered emergency power cuts affecting regions including Odesa, Rivne and Vinnytsia, as Kyiv sought stronger air defenses and rolled out mobile short‑range and drone‑interceptor tactics under new air force deputy commander Pavlo Yelizarov.