Ukraine Faces Renewed Missile Strikes Amid Power Outages and Calls for Faster Military Aid

Ukrainian emergency services and pyrotechnic experts examined an X-55 Russian cruise missile shot down over Kyiv on Thursday, following one of the most intense assaults in recent months.

According to Ukraine’s air force, Russia launched 91 missiles and 97 drones in the attack, targeting energy and fuel infrastructure. While 12 missiles struck their targets, all projectiles aimed at Kyiv were intercepted.

“The enemy is using a large number of missiles and drones. Their massive use in certain areas often exceeds the number of [air defense] cover,” the air force said in a statement.

The strikes caused widespread power outages, with the Lviv region reporting 523,000 subscribers without electricity, regional governor Maksym Kozytsky said. In Volyn, 215,000 customers lost power, while 280,000 were affected in Rivne. Emergency power cuts were implemented nationwide, and several nuclear power units were disconnected from the grid during the attacks, officials confirmed.

Private power company DTEK reported outages in Kyiv, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, and Donetsk regions, while some areas experienced disruptions to water services. Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko condemned the attacks, stating, “Energy infrastructure is once again targeted by the enemy’s massive strike.”

The renewed wave of strikes comes as Ukraine approaches the three-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Russian ground forces are advancing at their fastest pace in two years, intensifying the urgency for international military support.

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry called on global partners to expedite the delivery of military aid, emphasizing the need for equipment over additional troop mobilization. “We need more equipment to arm the people already mobilized. The priority is faster military aid,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tykhyi.

This plea follows remarks from a senior U.S. official suggesting Ukraine consider lowering the military recruitment age from 25 to 18 to offset battlefield losses.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak announced plans to host a second global summit to discuss ending Russia’s invasion, with details expected soon. Kyiv hosted its first “peace summit” in June in Switzerland, excluding Russian participation.

In contrast, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated in Kazakhstan on Thursday that Moscow is open to talks but insisted on the same terms set in June: Ukraine must abandon NATO ambitions and cede four provinces to Russia. Kyiv dismissed these conditions as equivalent to surrender.

As winter deepens, Ukrainian officials accuse Russia of stockpiling missiles to target civilians and infrastructure, further escalating the humanitarian crisis.