Russia launches massive missile attack on Ukraine's energy grid: Explosions rock multiple regions

This information comes from Ukraine's Air Force.

The attacks began overnight, with waves of attack drones deployed by Russian forces.

At 03:17 a.m., up to seven Tu-95MS bombers were reported taking off from Olenegorsk. Simultaneously, groups of UAVs moved across Ukrainian territory, focusing mainly on the eastern regions.

By 06:00 a.m., Kh-101/55 cruise missiles were launched from strategic bombers, while Kalibr missiles were fired from the Black Sea. Soon after, ballistic missiles from Crimea targeted central Ukraine, and additional cruise missiles headed for Kyiv.

At 07:10 a.m., Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles were launched from Tambov.

Strike on Kyiv

In the morning, Kyiv officials reported that debris from a missile strike in the Pecherskyi district caused a fire on the roof of a five-story residential building. One woman was injured in the incident.

By 07:15 a.m., air defense systems in Kyiv were activated.

Later updates revealed that another injured individual received medical aid at the same location. The strike damaged an apartment on the fifth floor of the building, and 30 residents were evacuated.

Debris also fell in the Holosiivskyi and Dniprovskyi districts, hitting residential and non-residential buildings.

The air alert in Kyiv lasted nearly five hours, with two separate alarms. According to the city’s military administration, air defenses intercepted numerous threats, including strike UAVs, Kh-101/55 cruise missiles, Kinzhal missiles, Iskanders, and possibly a Zircon hypersonic missile.

Drone attacks on Mykolaiv

At approximately 04:30 a.m., Russian forces launched multiple waves of Shahed 131/136 kamikaze drones on Mykolaiv.

The attack claimed the lives of two women and left six others injured, including two children. Private homes, a multi-story building, vehicles, a shopping mall, and an infrastructure facility were damaged. Fires broke out in several locations.

Casualties in Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia

In Dnipro, a morning strike left a 42-year-old man injured with shrapnel wounds. 

Residential buildings, a car, and an educational institution sustained damage.

In Kryvyi Rih, explosions were reported in the Samarivskyi and Kamianskyi districts, where fires erupted at multiple sites.

Zaporizhzhia faced three strikes targeting critical infrastructure. Two people were injured: a 59-year-old man was hospitalized, while an 18-year-old declined hospitalization after receiving medical care.

Missile strike on railway in Dnipropetrovsk region

Ukrzaliznytsia’s press service confirmed that the Russian attack hit a railway depot, killing two railway workers. Three others were injured but are currently in stable condition.

The morning attack also disrupted railway operations in Ukraine’s south, west, and northeast, leaving several sections without power. Many trains are now delayed.

Falling debris in Poltava region

According to the Poltava regional military administration, missile fragments caused damage to six high-rise buildings in the Kremenchuk district this morning. Five cars caught fire at the scene.

Tragically, there were casualties. One individual was hospitalized in serious condition following the attack.

Destruction in Lviv, Zhytomyr, and Kyiv regions

The State Emergency Service reported damage in Lviv, where garages were hit by fragments from a Russian missile, sparking fires.

In the Zhytomyr region, a private household was targeted, damaging both an outbuilding and a home. Rescuers quickly extinguished the fire.

In the Kyiv region, missile debris damaged residential and outbuildings, a club, a library, and two vehicles. A fire also broke out in a private garage. Thankfully, no injuries or fatalities were reported.

Impact on the power system

The Kyiv city military administration announced possible emergency power outages in the capital as a precaution against missile threats.

Power agency DTEK reported emergency outages affecting Kyiv city, Kyiv region, Donetsk, and Dnipropetrovsk regions under Ukrenergo's orders. Meanwhile, all electric transport in Odesa remains out of service.

Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko described the situation, stating, "Russia is targeting electricity generation and transmission infrastructure across Ukraine. Emergency power outages have been introduced nationwide. Rescuers and energy workers are already working to mitigate the damage."

The Volyn regional military administration reported energy infrastructure damage, while strikes on Prykarpattia, Vinnytsia, Rivne, and Kryvyi Rih caused emergency shutdowns of boiler houses, pumping stations, and other critical facilities. Efforts to repair the damage are ongoing, with no reported casualties so far.

DTEK confirmed that a thermal power plant was hit during Russia's morning barrage on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Initial reports indicate no casualties.

The attacks caused significant damage to station equipment. Workers began repairs and equipment restoration as soon as the shelling stopped.

"This marks the eighth large-scale attack on our energy facilities this year. Since the full-scale invasion began, DTEK power plants have been targeted over 190 times," the company stated.

Russia launched about 120 missiles and 90 drones at Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on the massive Russian attack on November 17, saying that Russian terrorists used various types of drones, including Shaheds, as well as cruise, ballistic, and aeroballistic missiles — Zircons, Iskanders, and Kinzhals. In total, approximately 120 missiles and 90 drones were launched. Ukrainian air defense forces destroyed over 140 aerial targets.

Zelenskyy said that Russia targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure, causing damage to facilities from missile strikes and falling debris.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, also condemned the attack, calling it Putin's response to those who have been in contact with him.