Russia pounds Ukraine's power grid in massive strike

KYIV/MOSCOW — Russia unleashed a massive airstrike on Ukraine on Sunday, firing 120 missiles and 90 drones in a sweeping attack that caused "severe damage "to the power system, officials said.

Ukrainians have been bracing for weeks for an attack on the hobbled energy system, fearing crippling damage that would cause long blackouts as winter sets in.

"Russia launched one of the largest air attacks: drones and missiles "against cities and critical infrastructure, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote on X.

Air defenses could be heard engaging drones over the capital in the night, and a series of powerful blasts rang out across the city center as the missile attack was underway in the morning, Reuters reported.

Kyiv's air force said the military had destroyed 104 out of 120 missiles fired and 42 out of 90 drones launched by Russia.

Russia's defense ministry said it had launched a massive strike on energy facilities that supply Ukraine's military-industrial complex.

"Severe damage to Ukraine's energy system, including to DTEK power stations. These attacks again highlight Ukraine's need for additional air defense systems from our allies," said Maxim Timchenko, CEO of DTEK, which is Ukraine's largest private energy provider.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the "massive combined attack targeted all regions of Ukraine".

Zelensky said in a Ukrainian radio interview aired on Saturday that Kyiv wants to end the conflict by next year through "diplomatic means".

The attack came as Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the situation in Ukraine with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday, according to the Kremlin and the German federal government.

It was their first telephone conversation since December 2022.

The two leaders exchanged their views on the current situation in Ukraine. Putin said the crisis was "a direct result of NATO's long-standing aggressive policies" aimed at creating an "anti-Russian bridgehead" on Ukrainian territory while ignoring Russia's security interests.

During the call, Scholz urged Putin to withdraw Russian troops from Ukraine and bring an end to the conflict. He emphasized the need for Russia to negotiate with Ukraine to achieve a just and lasting peace, and reiterated Germany's commitment to supporting Ukraine for as long as necessary.

Regarding German-Russian relations, Putin acknowledged their unprecedented decline in all areas, but expressed a willingness to pursue mutually beneficial cooperation.

Agencies - Xinhua