Russia launched one of its largest missile-and-drone attacks on Ukraine on Wednesday, hitting multiple regions in a barrage that Ukrainian officials said targeted the country’s energy infrastructure.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russia fired 70 missiles along with drones in the attack and described the strikes as deliberate and demonstrative.
Civilian casualties rise
The northern city of Pryluky suffered one of the deadliest attacks.
Regional Governor Vyacheslav Chaus said the death toll there rose to 13 after a Russian missile hit a five-storey residential building. Four children were among those killed, while 50 people were reported injured.
AP later reported that the nationwide civilian death toll had reached at least 24, with around 60 people wounded, although casualty figures were continuing to develop.
Energy infrastructure targeted
Zelenskiy said energy infrastructure was one of the key targets.
That is particularly significant as Ukraine enters another cold season and continues to face pressure on its electricity and heating systems.
Russia’s Defence Ministry said its forces carried out a “massive strike” against military-industrial facilities and other targets across Kyiv and several other Ukrainian regions.
Ukraine seeks more air defense
The Ukrainian president again highlighted the difficulty of defending against Russian ballistic missiles.
Ukraine has repeatedly asked Western allies for additional air-defense systems and ammunition, arguing that protecting cities and critical infrastructure requires greater capacity.
The latest barrage demonstrates why the issue remains central to Kyiv’s military strategy.
A dangerous escalation
The attack comes after Ukrainian intelligence warned that Russia was preparing a major strike.
The scale of Wednesday’s barrage shows that, despite continued international diplomatic efforts, the long-range war remains highly active.
The immediate focus will now be on the civilian damage, restoration of energy supplies and Ukraine’s response.
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