Russian missile and drone strikes overnight struck eight Ukrainian regions, killing at least four and damaging energy infrastructure that caused emergency heating and power cuts for millions. President Zelenskiy said nearly 300 drones, 18 ballistic missiles and seven cruise missiles were used; Ukraine's air defences shot down 247 drones and seven missiles. The attacks hit a DTEK thermal plant and civilian sites in Kharkiv, Odesa and Kryvyi Rih amid temperatures near -13°C, deepening humanitarian risks as the war enters its fourth winter.
Major Overnight Russian Strikes Kill At Least Four, Knock Out Heat and Power Across Ukraine
A firefighter works at the site of a residential household damaged during Russian drone and missile strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv region, Ukraine, January 13, 2026. Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Kyiv region/Handout via REUTERS
KYIV, Jan 13 — Russia launched a broad overnight assault across Ukraine using missiles and drones, killing at least four people and knocking out heating and electricity for millions as winter temperatures plunged.
Firefighters work at the site of a residential household damaged during Russian drone and missile strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv region, Ukraine, January 13, 2026. Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Kyiv region/Handout via REUTERS
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the strikes involved nearly 300 drones, 18 ballistic missiles and seven cruise missiles and struck eight Ukrainian regions. He described energy-generation facilities and substations as primary targets and appealed for sustained international support for air-defence systems.
A firefighter works at the site of a logistics hub of a private delivery company hit by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine January 13, 2026. REUTERS/Sofiia Gatilova
"Every such strike against life is a reminder that support for Ukraine cannot be stopped. Missiles for air defence systems are needed every day, and especially during winter." — Volodymyr Zelenskiy
Ukraine's air force reported that air-defence units shot down 247 drones and seven missiles, and that missiles and drones caused damage at 24 sites. The Energy Ministry said emergency power cuts were imposed in Kyiv and in the Chernihiv, Odesa, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions. Private energy giant DTEK reported heavy damage to equipment at one of its thermal power plants.
Rescuers and firefighters take shelter while they work at the site of a logistics hub of a private delivery company hit by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine January 13, 2026. REUTERS/Sofiia Gatilova
Human Toll And Local Damage
In Kharkiv, about 30 km (18 miles) from the Russian border, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said a postal terminal was hit by several missiles and drones, killing four people and wounding more than 30. In Odesa, emergency services reported at least five people injured and fires at an unused building, a fitness centre and a vocational school. In central Kryvyi Rih two people were injured and civilian infrastructure, homes and gas pipelines were damaged.
A firefighter works at the site of a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Odesa, Ukraine January 13, 2026. Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine/Handout via REUTERS
Context And Wider Impact
Ukrainian officials warned that the fourth winter of the war is shaping up to be the coldest and darkest yet: years of cumulative damage to the energy system plus intensified strikes have left millions vulnerable as temperatures hover around -13°C (9°F) in Kyiv.
A firefighter works at the site of a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Odesa, Ukraine January 13, 2026. Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine/Handout via REUTERS
Moscow's Defence Ministry said its forces targeted military-industrial facilities. With the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion approaching, diplomatic efforts to end the conflict have so far produced no breakthrough while fighting continues, particularly in eastern Donetsk.
(Additional reporting by Lidia Kelly and Alexandar Vasovic; editing by Peter Graff)
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