Ukraine faced widespread power outages after Russia launched one of its largest assaults yet on the nation’s energy grid, firing hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles overnight, officials said on Thursday. The attacks crippled critical energy infrastructure in eight regions, cutting power to millions as winter approaches.
Just days earlier, a Russian strike on an energy facility in Slavutych, Kyiv Oblast, caused a temporary blackout at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, Ukraine’s Energy Ministry said.
The latest wave of strikes comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prepares to meet US President Donald Trump in Washington on Friday, where he is expected to seek additional American air defense systems and long-range missiles to counter Russia’s intensifying attacks.
Trump, who spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, said the two plan to meet in Budapest, Hungary, to “try to bring the war to an end,” though no date has been finalized. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he would discuss his call with Putin during his meeting with Zelenskyy, claiming that “great progress was made.”
Power Outages Across Eight Regions
Ukraine’s national energy operator Ukrenergo confirmed that eight regions were hit by severe blackouts following the overnight barrage. DTEK, the country’s largest private energy company, reported significant damage in Kyiv and said it had to suspend natural gas extraction in Poltava due to infrastructure destruction. Naftogaz, the state-owned gas firm, said its facilities had been targeted for the sixth time this month.
Zelenskyy said Russia fired over 300 drones and 37 missiles, accusing Moscow of using cluster munitions and repeatedly striking the same sites to delay repairs. “This fall, the Russians are using every single day to attack our energy infrastructure,” he said on Telegram, warning that Moscow is ‘weaponizing winter’ to pressure Ukraine. Russia, however, insists its strikes target only military sites.
Ukraine Strikes Back
In response, Ukraine’s military said it hit the Saratov oil refinery in southern Russia—the second such strike in two months—crippling a key facility that fuels Moscow’s war machine, according to the Associated Press.
On X (formerly Twitter), Zelenskyy wrote: “Nothing has changed for Russia—it continues to terrorize life in Ukraine. Drones struck Kryvyi Rih, hitting civilian infrastructure. Not a single night has passed without Russian attacks. Most targets are infrastructure—a systematic campaign of terror against our energy sector.”
Zelenskyy is expected to request cruise missiles, advanced air defense systems, and joint drone production deals during his US visit, while also pushing for tighter sanctions on Moscow.
Shifting Diplomacy and Defense Ties
Amid speculation that Trump may press Putin to advance peace negotiations, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that Washington will “impose costs” on Moscow if it refuses to engage in talks.
Trump also claimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had pledged to halt Russian oil imports, a move that could further squeeze the Kremlin’s wartime revenues.
While Washington remains cautious about sending long-range missiles such as Tomahawks—fearing escalation—the Institute for the Study of War said such transfers would merely mirror Russia’s own tactics and not widen the conflict.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Economy Ministry announced a new partnership with US aerospace firm Bell Textron Inc., which plans to open a testing center and office in Ukraine and train local engineers in the US. The Ukrainian delegation also held talks with Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, aiming to bolster domestic defense production amid uncertain Western aid.
