Russia launches fresh drone and missile assault on Ukraine, killing four

Russia carried out a major overnight drone and missile attack on Ukraine, marking the second large-scale strike in four days , officials said on Tuesday. The assault primarily targeted the country’s power grid and civilian infrastructure , resulting in at least four deaths and multiple injuries amid freezing winter conditions.

In the latest assault, Russia fired nearly 300 drones, 18 ballistic missiles, and seven cruise missiles across eight regions. Four days earlier, Russia launched hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles, including a hypersonic missile that struck western Ukraine for only the second time in the war, sending a warning to Kyiv’s NATO allies. While the previous attack caused widespread damage, the latest strike led to four fatalities at a mail depot in Kharkiv and wounded 10 others. Six people were also injured in the southern city of Odesa.

The attacks damaged energy facilities, hospitals, kindergartens, schools, and residential buildings. In Kyiv, the strike left hundreds of thousands of households without electricity , forcing residents to rely on generators in -12°C temperatures with icy streets. Ukrainian officials described the strikes as part of Russia’s strategy to “weaponise winter,” aiming to deprive civilians of heat and running water.

Ukraine has targeted Russian facilities in Taganrog, which produces drone components and aircraft, while calling for faster delivery of air defence systems from the US and Europe to counter further assaults.

The United States condemned the escalation, calling it a “dangerous and inexplicable” attack , and deplored the “staggering number of casualties.” Deputy US Ambassador to the UN Tammy Bruce criticised Russia’s targeting of energy and civilian infrastructure, highlighting the threat to peace negotiations. European nations and NATO allies have also reaffirmed support for Ukraine, including new pledges of aid and military assistance .

As the conflict nears its fourth year, Ukraine continues to face repeated and intensifying attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure, underscoring the severe human and material toll of the war .