Ukraine suffered widespread blackouts after Russia launched one of its heaviest attacks on the country’s power grid, firing hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles overnight, officials said Thursday.The strikes crippled energy facilities across several regions, leaving millions without electricity as winter approaches.
Days ago, a Russian strike on an energy facility in the town of Slavutych in Kyiv Oblast caused a several-hour blackout at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant on October 1, according to the Energy Ministry.This comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prepared to meet US President Donald Trump in Washington on Friday, where he is expected to request more American-made air defense systems and long-range missiles to counter Russian attacks.Trump, who spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, said they plan to meet in Budapest, Hungary, to “try to bring the war to an end,” though no date has been set.In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he would discuss his conversation with Putin “and much more” during his meeting with Zelenskyy, adding that “great progress was made” during the call.
Eight regions hit by blackouts
Ukraine’s national energy operator, Ukrenergo, said eight regions experienced power outages after the barrage. DTEK, the country’s largest private energy firm, reported major disruptions in Kyiv and said it had to halt natural gas extraction in the Poltava region due to damage. State-owned Naftogaz said gas infrastructure was hit for the sixth time this month.Zelenskyy said Russia launched over 300 drones and 37 missiles, accusing Moscow of using cluster munitions and repeatedly targeting the same sites to hinder emergency repairs. “This fall, the Russians are using every single day to strike our energy infrastructure,” he said on Telegram.The power grid has remained one of Russia’s key targets throughout the war. Ukrainian officials say Moscow is “weaponizing winter” by attacking energy facilities ahead of the cold season, a claim Russia denies, saying it only strikes military targets.Ukraine has responded by targeting Russian oil refineries crucial to its war effort. The Ukrainian military said it struck the Saratov oil refinery in southern Russia on Thursday, the second such attack in two months, as reported by news agency AP. Zelenskyy in a post on X wrote: “Nothing has changed for Russia – it is still terrorizing life in Ukraine. A swarm of drones struck Kryvyi Rih, hitting civilian infrastructure. There were dozens more attack drones in our skies. Missiles were also spotted. In fact, not a single night in recent weeks has passed without Russian strikes on Ukraine. Most of the targets are infrastructure – a systematic campaign of terror against our energy sector. “
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Zelenskyy’s Washington mission
Zelenskyy is expected to seek cruise missiles, air defense systems and joint drone production agreements from the United States. Kyiv is also pushing for tougher sanctions on Moscow.The visit comes amid signs that Trump may increase pressure on Putin to make progress in peace negotiations. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Wednesday that if Russia refuses to engage in talks, Washington “will take the steps necessary to impose costs on Russia for its continued aggression.”Trump on Wednesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him that India would stop purchasing Russian oil, a move that could further squeeze Moscow’s war finances.Although Washington has hesitated to send long-range missiles such as Tomahawks over fears of escalation, the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War said such a move would “mirror Russia’s own use of long-range cruise missiles” and not widen the conflict.Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Economy Ministry announced a new partnership with US aerospace company Bell Textron Inc. to boost domestic aviation technology. The Texas-based firm plans to open an office and testing center in Ukraine while training local engineers in the United States.During its visit to the US, a Ukrainian delegation also held talks with major American defense manufacturers, including Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, as Kyiv looks to strengthen its own arms industry amid uncertain future aid from Western allies.
