Russian missile strikes force emergency power shutdowns

Russian missile attacks on Monday have affected many regions, leading to Ukraine having to switch to emergency shutdowns to stabilise its power grid, President Zelensky has said. 

Zelensky said the local authorities warned that about half of the Kyiv region would remain without power in the coming days. 

Overnight, more missiles hit critical infrastructure and residential houses near the southern city of Zaporizhzhia. 

So far, four people are reported dead in Monday’s attacks. 

Ukraine snow and sub-zero temperatures

There are fears for Ukraine this winter, as snow has already started to fall and the country is experiencing sub-zero temperatures in many regions.
With Russian missiles hitting power grids and people being without electricity and running water, there are fears people may die of hypothermia.

Zelensky addressed the public, via video, late on Monday, saying that 70 Russian missiles were fired on Monday and “most of them were shot down.” 

But the Russian defence ministry said it hit all 17 of its intended targets during its “massive strike using high-precision weapons.” 

President Zelensky said electricity supplies were also affected in neighbouring Moldova, proving that Russia’s actions were “a threat not only to Ukraine but also to our entire region.” 

Monday’s attacks on Ukraine 

The strikes on Monday were Russia’s eighth massive missile attack in eight weeks. 

There had been warnings Russia was planning a fresh wave of attacks over the last few days. The missile attack happened just hours after a series of explosions at two military airfields in Russia, which Moscow blames on Ukraine drones.