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Four killed in Kyiv as Russian strikes target energy infrastructure
At least four people were killed and dozens wounded in Kyiv on Friday after Russia launched a wave of drone and missile strikes, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed. The attack-comprising roughly 430 drones and 18 missiles
Widespread damage across Kyiv
Residential areas bore the brunt of the assault, with debris and fires reported "in practically every district," according to Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration. Emergency services rescued over 40 people, including 14 from a blazing apartment block in the Desnayanskyi district, where one fatality occurred. Another survivor was pulled from rubble.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko warned of disruptions to heating networks and power supplies, while medical teams treated nine hospitalized victims-one in "extremely serious condition." The strikes also hit a hospital, school, and administrative buildings, per emergency responders.
Retaliatory strike on Russian oil hub
Hours earlier, Ukraine targeted the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, igniting fires at the Sheskharis oil refinery and damaging a ship, apartment blocks, and a container terminal. Veniamin Kondratyev, governor of Krasnodar region, reported four injuries, including three crew members. Mayor Andrei Kravchenko declared a state of emergency, and Reuters noted oil exports had halted.
Escalating energy warfare
The strikes follow a pattern of Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, which Moscow claims target military sites. Zelensky has repeatedly denounced such strikes as "vile and calculated" and urged Western allies to close loopholes in sanctions on Russian energy-a call that gained urgency after the U.S. granted Hungary an exemption last week.
Friday's barrage came days after another Russian offensive killed six civilians and further crippled power grids. Ukraine's air force warned of additional drone and guided-bomb strikes in regions like Sumy.
Context: Sanctions and stalled talks
U.S. President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on Russian oil earlier this month, citing stalled ceasefire negotiations with President Vladimir Putin. Zelensky's latest appeal for "no exceptions" in energy restrictions underscores Kyiv's frustration as winter deepens and infrastructure vulnerabilities persist.
"Supplies have stabilized, but conservation remains essential."
Kyiv emergency services, via Telegram
