LONDON — A significant Russian attack on Ukraine overnight involved 241 drones and five missiles, resulting in the deaths of two civilians and damage to energy infrastructure, according to Ukrainian officials. The Ukrainian air force reported that approximately 175 drones and four missiles were intercepted or destroyed. Despite these defenses, 65 drones successfully struck targets across 14 locations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks, stating they targeted "peaceful Ukrainian cities and communities." He noted that such strikes occur almost daily, emphasizing that the primary focus is on infrastructure essential for daily life.

The fatalities included one civilian in Donetsk and another in Novhorod-Siverskyi, located in the Chernihiv region. The industrial city of Kremenchuk was a major target, where energy infrastructure was hit. Volodymyr Kohut, the acting governor of the Poltava region, reported that repair work began immediately and is ongoing. He described the electricity supply situation as "complicated," affecting heat and water services.

Fastiv, a city in the Kyiv region, experienced drone attacks for the second time in one day. Zelenskyy highlighted that this week alone, Russia launched over 1,600 attack drones and around 1,200 guided aerial bombs, primarily targeting critical infrastructure. He reiterated Ukraine's urgent need for enhanced air defense systems and missiles, stating, "The priority is clear: more air defense systems and missiles, and more support for our defenders."

In a related development, a large-scale Russian drone and missile assault damaged power facilities in eight Ukrainian regions, leading to blackouts and reduced output from nuclear power plants. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that military activities overnight forced the plants to cut production.

The Ukrainian military reported that Russia launched 653 drones and 51 missiles, with Ukrainian forces successfully downing 585 drones and 30 missiles. Key regions affected included Chernihiv, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, and Dnipropetrovsk, where power and heat generation facilities were targeted.

In the southern Odesa region, 9,500 customers were left without heat, and 34,000 lacked water supply. The Ukrainian energy ministry stated that emergency repair work is underway where safety allows, and energy companies are working to restore services as quickly as possible.

Additionally, a railway hub near Kyiv was damaged, affecting depot and railway carriages, although no casualties were reported. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha criticized Russia for targeting civilian infrastructure, stating, "This shows that no decisions to strengthen Ukraine and raise pressure on Russia can be delayed."

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed its forces conducted a "massive strike" in response to alleged Ukrainian attacks on civilian targets, using high-precision weapons, including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles. Sirens were also activated in Lubartow, Poland, due to the situation in Ukraine, prompting the country to scramble jets, although no airspace violations were reported.