KYIV, Ukraine — In a significant escalation of violence, Russia executed a large-scale aerial assault on Ukraine on Friday, firing 93 cruise and ballistic missiles alongside nearly 200 drones, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He described this unprecedented bombardment as one of the most severe strikes against the nation’s energy infrastructure since the onset of the war almost three years prior.
Ukrainian defenses were able to intercept a majority of the incoming threats, shooting down 81 missiles, including 11 cruise missiles that were taken down by F-16 fighter jets supplied by Western allies earlier in the year, Zelenskyy reported.
The Ukrainian president expressed that these attacks are a tactic of terror aimed at “millions of people,” and reiterated the urgent need for a united international response to counter Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggression. “A substantial reaction from the global community is absolutely necessary. Only a massive strike can truly put an end to this terror,” he emphasized in a message posted on his Telegram channel.
Amidst this turmoil, there is uncertainty regarding the future conduct of the war, especially with the upcoming inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump next month, who has expressed his intent to end the conflict, casting doubt on the continuity of critical U.S. military assistance to Ukraine.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that its military targeted significant fuel and energy infrastructures in Ukraine which are vital for supporting military operations. This strike reportedly served as a vengeance for Ukraine’s Wednesday attack on a Russian airbase using Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMs) provided by the U.S.
In a recent interview, Trump made it clear that he opposes the use of U.S. weapons for Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented that Trump’s stance is “in alignment with our view,” indicating a mutual understanding regarding the factors contributing to the escalation of the conflict.
The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv confirmed that the Russian attack also impacted transportation networks and other essential facilities. DTEK, Ukraine’s leading private energy company, reported significant damage inflicted on its thermal power plants.
Throughout the conflict, Russia has attempted to dismantle Ukraine’s electricity system by targeting infrastructure, aiming to demoralize civilians who face power outages, lack of running water, and inadequate heating. Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko stated that energy workers are actively engaged in efforts to mitigate the adverse effects on the energy system and would provide further updates on the damages as soon as the conditions are safe.
Ukraine’s air force noted that waves of strike drones and cruise missiles were launched at the country overnight. Russia also deployed air-launched Kinzhal ballistic missiles targeting Ukraine’s western regions, contributing to the widespread chaos.
In a previous significant strike on Nov. 28, Russia unleashed around 200 missiles and drones, plunging over a million homes into darkness until emergency teams could restore power. Ukrainian officials are now cautioning that Russia is stockpiling more missiles in anticipation of future assaults.
On Nov. 21, Russia utilized an intermediate range hypersonic ballistic missile for the first time, directing it towards an industrial facility in Dnipro in eastern Ukraine. President Putin labeled this attack as retaliation for Ukrainian operations on Russian soil with Western weaponry, indicating that more such strikes could follow, while U.S. officials warned that the Oreshnik missile might be used again shortly. However, as of this latest attack, there was no evidence suggesting its deployment.
Approximately half of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has sustained destruction throughout the conflict, leading to frequent rolling blackouts across the nation. Although Ukraine’s Western allies have provided air defense systems aimed at preserving critical infrastructure, Russia has sought to overwhelm these defenses through combined assaults involving numerous missiles and drones, often referred to as “swarms.”
This year, Russia has maintained the initiative in the conflict, gradually pushing through Ukrainian defenses in the east via a series of slow but continuous offensives.
