On Sunday, Russian forces carried out a significant assault on Ukraine's energy and power plant infrastructure, launching hundreds of drones and missiles. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that the attack involved at least 120 missiles and 90 drones, including Iranian-made Shahed drones. This assault marked the largest long-range attack from Russia in the past three months.
Zelenskyy stated that the primary target of the attack was Ukraine's energy infrastructure, resulting in damage to various objects from hits and falling debris. Tragically, in Mykolaiv, two individuals lost their lives, and six others, including two children, sustained injuries due to a drone attack. Ukrainian forces managed to intercept and shoot down 144 projectiles before they could reach their intended targets.
Explosions were reported in several Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Kryvyi Rih, Dnipro, and western Ukraine. Odesa, a crucial port city, was left without power following the assault.
In response to the attack, Poland's military swiftly mobilized its airforce within its borders, although there were no reports of Russian ordnance falling on Polish territory.
Russia has frequently targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure, particularly as temperatures drop in the region, a tactic that Moscow has employed in previous years of the conflict.
This attack coincides with the anticipated appointment of a Ukrainian peace envoy by President-elect Donald Trump to lead negotiations aimed at ending the conflict with Russia. The role is expected to be voluntary, similar to Kurt Volker's service as a special representative to Ukrainian negotiations from 2017 to 2019.
Trump has been expeditiously announcing appointees to his Cabinet and advisory positions, with plans to negotiate an end to the war between Ukraine and Russia. However, specific details on his approach remain scarce.
Reports suggest that some advisers are urging Trump to encourage Kyiv to agree to terms that would establish an 800-mile demilitarized zone along the frontlines and allow Russia to retain the land it has unlawfully seized, constituting approximately 20% of Ukraine. Additionally, there are suggestions that Kyiv should refrain from pursuing NATO membership for the next two decades, a proposal that critics argue may be seen as capitulating to Putin.
