Ukraine faces massive overnight strikes on power plants, residential areas PHOTO / VIDEO

Overnight, Russian forces launched missile and drone strikes on major Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Sumy, Chernihiv, Chuhuiv, Izyum, and other settlements, targeting critical energy facilities and residential areas.

Social media reports indicated that attacks involved Kh-22/Kh-32, Zircon, Iskander-M, Kinzhal, and Tornado MLRS missiles, with Tu-95MS and MiG-31K aircraft also participating. According to monitoring channels, strikes targeted the 750 kV “Kyiv” substation in Makariv, the Darnytska CHP in Kyiv, and other facilities in the Kyiv region.

The State Emergency Service reported three injuries in Kyiv. Strikes hit multiple districts: in Dniprovskiy, a five-story building was destroyed and a kindergarten caught fire; in Darnytskyi, fires and damage occurred on the 26th floor of a residential building; in Shevchenkivskyi, a high-rise caught fire; in Pecherskyi, a gas station and parked cars were damaged; in Desnianskyi, administrative buildings and open areas were hit. All fires have been extinguished, with emergency teams working on site, while casualty figures are being confirmed.

Reports also note the use of Iskander missile systems and Geran UAVs by Russian forces.

Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov confirmed a Russian Molniya drone strike on the city centre, along with ballistic and missile attacks on Slobidskyi District.

Energy facilities hit include Kharkiv’s CHP-6, Dnipro’s Prydniprovska TPP, Trypillia TPP in Kyiv region, the 750 kV “Kyiv” substation in Makariv, Darnytska CHP in Kyiv, 440 kV substations in Kharkiv, and a 330 kV substation in Odesa. Explosions and fires were reported near the 330 kV “Losevo” substation. Terekhov emphasised that attacks on critical energy infrastructure pose major challenges amid extreme cold.

To prevent mass freezing, Kharkiv authorities plan to drain heating systems in 820 buildings connected to one of the city’s largest CHPs—a measure described by the regional governor as “extreme, but the only possible solution” under severe temperatures. City transport will also be reinforced, with additional bus routes prepared in case of power outages.

“This is a difficult night and morning for Kharkiv. But the city is operational, all services are on site, decisions are made quickly and responsibly. We are keeping the situation under control and will do everything possible,” Terekhov said.

Strikes also hit the Sumy region, damaging residential buildings. In the Konotop community, a private home caught fire after a strike, with three residents rescued and receiving aid for shock. Two more high-rise buildings in the Sumy community were struck, with no casualties reported.

By Jeyhun Aghazada