Russian Drone and Missile Barrage Knocks Out Heating and Water for Thousands in Ukraine

Widespread Strikes Target Energy and Rail Infrastructure

Russian drone and missile attacks struck critical infrastructure across Ukraine from Friday night into Saturday, officials said, damaging energy installations and rail links and causing heating and water outages for thousands of households.

Ukraine's air force reported that Russia launched 653 drones and 51 missiles in the latest wave. President Volodymyr Zelensky said energy facilities were again the primary targets. "Russia's aim is to inflict suffering on millions of Ukrainians," he wrote on social media.

The strikes affected multiple regions, including Chernihiv, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa, Kyiv officials said. In the Odesa region, Restoration Minister Oleksiy Kuleba reported that 9,500 subscribers remained without heating and 34,000 without water due to damage to local infrastructure.

A Russian drone also hit and burned the main railway station building in Fastiv, about 70 kilometres (45 miles) southwest of Kyiv, Zelensky said. Ukraine's state rail operator, Ukrzaliznytsya, said there were no casualties but suburban train traffic was disrupted.

"Rolling power outages will be required across the country to stabilise the system while repairs continue," Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said after convening an emergency coordination meeting of ministers.

Neighbouring Moldova's grid was also affected. National energy provider Moldelectrica said an important energy group had been disconnected and interconnection lines were close to their limit after attacks on Ukraine's power system. It requested emergency assistance from Romania and urged citizens to conserve electricity as a precaution.

While Kyiv and its partners pursue diplomatic efforts — Ukrainian negotiators were meeting U.S. envoys in Florida for talks on a U.S.-drafted plan to end the conflict — Russia has repeatedly targeted civilian power and heating infrastructure. The Russian defence ministry said it struck "Ukrainian military-industrial complex enterprises and the energy facilities that support them," adding that all designated targets were hit.

Humanitarian and Infrastructure Impact

Authorities continue repair and emergency efforts to restore services. Officials warned residents in affected areas to prepare for intermittent power and heating, and transport disruptions remain in places where rail infrastructure was damaged.