Russia Restarts Night Strikes on Major Ukrainian Cities After Brief Ceasefire

Russia has initiated its largest barrage of missile and drone strikes on Ukraine this year, impacting major cities and crucial energy infrastructure. This aggressive action ends a brief ceasefire that had been brokered with involvement from both the United States and Russia. Ukrainian officials reported significant explosions in multiple cities, including Kyiv, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Sumy, and Odesa.

Details of the Attack

On Tuesday, Ukraine faced a concentrated assault involving around 70 missiles and 450 drones, targeting energy installations in at least six regions. This attack is unprecedented in scale for 2023, as stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Impact on Civilian Life

• Kyiv: Almost 1,200 high-rise buildings lost heat, leaving residents in frigid conditions.
• Odesa: Over 50,000 people were left without power following the strikes.
• Kharkiv: An estimated 820 high-rise buildings reported heat supply outages due to missile and drone assaults.

The temperature during the early morning of the attack reached -20 degrees Celsius (-4 degrees Fahrenheit) in Kyiv and dropped to -25 degrees Celsius (-13 degrees Fahrenheit) in Kharkiv, compounding the crisis for those affected.

Reactions and Statements

Officials like Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko and Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov condemned the attacks as an attempt to inflict maximum damage during severe winter conditions. Zelensky emphasized Russia’s use of the cold to terrorize civilians instead of considering diplomatic solutions.

Consequences for Energy Infrastructure

The strikes caused extensive damage to thermal power plants, which are vital for heating and electricity during the winter months. DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private energy provider, acknowledged that the conditions were dire. The company is operating in “survival mode,” with several plants offline or functioning at reduced capacity.

Future Diplomatic Talks

Looking ahead, another round of talks between Ukrainian, Russian, and U.S. officials is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday in Abu Dhabi. The goal of these discussions is to facilitate a longer-lasting ceasefire and address ongoing hostilities.

In summary, as winter temperatures drop, the recent escalation in Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities highlights the urgent need for effective diplomacy and humanitarian relief. The situation remains critical as affected areas grapple with destroyed infrastructure amid harsh weather conditions.