"Massive Attack" Leaves 5 Dead and Tens of Thousands Without Power in Russian Strikes Across Ukraine

Ukraine experienced a dangerous escalation in Russian attacks on Sunday, targeting energy infrastructure and residential areas. The strikes resulted in the deaths of five people and injured 14 others, while cutting off electricity to tens of thousands of residents. The attacks primarily hit the Zaporizhzhia (south) and Lviv (west) regions, causing extensive damage to critical infrastructure.

Russia has intensified its targeting of Ukrainian energy facilities as temperatures begin to drop. Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko stated that "on Sunday night, Russia launched a new barrage of missiles and drones against the Ukrainian people, targeting the Lviv, Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv, Vinnytsia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kherson, Kharkiv, and Odesa regions."

Casualties and Devastating Damage

Lviv, near the Polish border, had been one of the regions less exposed to Russian shelling since the start of the full-scale military operation in February 2022 due to its distance from the front line, but it was heavily impacted this time.

The Prime Minister provided details on the human and material losses:

• In Lviv: "Four people were killed and four were injured. They are from the same family, including a teenager," confirmed Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.

• In Zaporizhzhia: "One person was killed and ten were injured after Russia targeted residential areas with drones and air bombs." Svyrydenko confirmed that "in all affected regions, residential buildings and critical infrastructure were damaged."

As a result of the damage to energy equipment, power was cut off to large parts of Lviv city, according to the service provider. In Zaporizhzhia, Governor Ivan Fedorov reported that the Russian strike left "more than 73,000 consumers... without electricity."

Zelenskyy's Call for Additional Air Protection

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that the attack involved launching more than 50 missiles and approximately 500 attack drones toward his country. Zelenskyy said, "The Russians once again targeted our infrastructure—everything that ensures a normal life for our people," describing the attacks as "air terrorism."

The Ukrainian President called on the international community for "more protection and faster implementation of all defense agreements, especially air defense" to counter this escalating threat. An air raid alert was declared across Ukraine starting early Sunday morning.

Meanwhile, the Polish Armed Forces reported via "X" that they had mobilized their aircraft and ground systems to ensure the security of the country's airspace, particularly in areas near Ukraine. Andriy Sadovyi, Mayor of Lviv, described public transport routes in the city as being out of service due to a "massive attack from Russia."