Russia Launches Massive Infrastructure Strikes on Kyiv: Power and Water Systems Crippled in Escalating Winter Strategy

Kyiv was engulfed in darkness early Friday as Russia launched what Ukrainian officials described as a "massive attack," targeting the capital's infrastructure and disrupting water and energy supplies across the city.

Multiple powerful explosions echoed throughout Kyiv as the assault unfolded, with AFP journalists reporting immediate blackouts affecting numerous districts.

The Ukrainian air force issued an urgent alert, stating: "The capital of the country is under an enemy ballistic missile attack and a massive attack by the enemy strike drones," urging residents to remain in shelters for safety.

Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that Russian forces had targeted "critical infrastructure," resulting in at least nine injuries, with five victims requiring hospitalization. He reported via Telegram that "the left bank of the capital is without electricity" and noted "problems with water supply" throughout affected areas.

Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk acknowledged the "massive strike" against Ukraine's power grid, assuring citizens that "energy workers are taking all necessary measures to minimize the negative consequences" and would begin restoration work as soon as security conditions permitted.

Ukrainian authorities placed the entire country on high alert, fearing potential strikes from hypersonic Kinzhal missiles, which present significant challenges for detection and interception systems.

Beyond Kyiv, Russia conducted at least seven overnight drone strikes on the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, claiming the life of a seven-year-old child and wounding at least three others, according to regional military administration head Ivan Fedorov.

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Thursday that Moscow's strategy aims to "create chaos and apply psychological pressure" through systematic attacks on energy facilities and railways. He noted that Russian strikes this year had already severely damaged Ukrainian gas infrastructure, potentially forcing increased reliance on imports.

Ukraine has responded with its own escalation of drone and missile strikes on Russian territory, which Zelensky claimed was yielding "results" and impacting fuel prices in Russia. A Ukrainian strike on a power station in Russia's Belgorod border region recently caused significant power outages.

Russia accused Ukraine on Thursday of rupturing a defunct ammonia pipeline near the frontline, releasing toxic gas and sharing video footage showing what appeared to be chemical clouds emanating from the ground. Ukrainian authorities in the eastern Donetsk region dismissed concerns, stating the incident posed no "menace to the lives of people" in surrounding areas.

Due to intensifying Russian drone attacks, Ukrainian officials ordered the evacuation of children and their guardians from Kramatorsk, the largest civilian hub in the Donetsk region still under Kyiv's control. Similarly, the mayor of Sloviansk, another Ukrainian-controlled Donbas city, advised children and elderly residents to leave, citing constant attacks on energy infrastructure.

Ukrainian authorities reported that Russia is increasingly deploying small, inexpensive first-person-view drones, which have dramatically transformed frontline combat dynamics in recent months.

A Ukrainian delegation led by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko is scheduled to visit the United States next week to discuss energy security and air defense capabilities amid the escalating Russian strikes.

US President Donald Trump stated Thursday that Washington and NATO allies were "stepping up the pressure" to end the Ukraine conflict, though his diplomatic efforts with Russian President Vladimir Putin have not yet secured a ceasefire. Following Trump's meeting with Putin in Alaska in August, Russia's attacks on Ukraine intensified.

Russian officials recently stated that momentum toward a peace agreement had largely dissipated.