Two people were killed and dozens were injured in an overnight Russian drone assault that Ukrainian officials say involved more than 200 drones and 30 recorded strikes across 15 locations. The attacks hit multiple regions, damaging energy infrastructure and triggering blackouts and heating cuts as temperatures fell to around −16 °C. One death was reported in Kharkiv, while the location of the second fatality remained unclear. The assault coincided with meetings in Miami between U.S. and Ukrainian officials on security guarantees and post-war recovery.
Two Killed, Dozens Wounded in Massive Russian Drone Assault Across Ukraine, Zelenskiy Says
A person carrying a torch approaches a tent provided by emergency services for residents whose apartments are left without heating during sub-zero temperatures, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, during a winter night in Kyiv, Ukraine, January 17, 2026. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
Two people were killed and dozens more were wounded after a large-scale Russian drone attack struck multiple regions of Ukraine overnight, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday. The assault, which Ukrainian officials say involved more than 200 drones, targeted energy infrastructure and other sites as the country endures a bitter cold snap.
Attack Details
Zelenskiy named Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Khmelnytskyi and Odesa among the regions hit. The Ukrainian military reported that about 30 strikes were recorded across 15 locations. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said one person was killed in the country's second-largest city and reported significant damage to local energy facilities. Officials said it was not immediately clear where the second fatality occurred.
Impact On Civilians
The strikes exacerbated power outages and heating cuts in major cities, including the capital Kyiv, as temperatures plunged to around −16 °C. Residents faced hardships from the loss of heat and electricity during the cold snap. On Saturday, Zelenskiy said he had ordered imports of electricity and additional power equipment to be accelerated wherever possible.
Diplomatic Context
The latest drone assault came as U.S. and Ukrainian officials met in Miami to discuss security guarantees and a post-war recovery package for Ukraine. Washington has urged Kyiv to agree to a peace framework that it would then present to Moscow; Russia has shown little enthusiasm for the diplomatic initiative and has demanded major Ukrainian concessions.
Reporting: Dan Peleschuk. Editing: Elaine Hardcastle and Louise Heavens.
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