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Both Russian and Ukrainian officials on Friday confirmed a massive Russian missile attack against infrastructure targets across Ukraine.
Ukrainian officials described severe damage, loss of civilian life, and further threats to public safety as the power was shut down in several cities during frigid winter weather.
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry described the assault as a “massive terrorist missile attack” that included 76 cruise missiles. The Defense Ministry claimed Ukrainian forces were able to shoot 60 of the missiles down, but many smaller missiles and artillery barrages struck their targets.
The Ukrainian capital of Kyiv reportedly endured one of the fiercest attacks of the war to date, with half of Russia’s cruise missiles targeting the city. Residents fled into bomb shelters as explosions were reported across the city. Problems with the power grid occurred nationwide, railroads were shut down, and at least three civilian casualties occurred in different cities.
A Ukrainian commander in Kyiv claimed one of the Russian missiles was brought down by machine gun fire – a feat he conceded was “almost impossible,” but “it was done” nonetheless.
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said he thought Russian leader Vladimir Putin was trying to freeze Ukrainians into submission by knocking out the power grid shortly before Christmas.
“We may lose most electricity and gas supply as attacks on gas production enterprises continue. There may be attacks on gas distribution networks, leading to severe limitations on gas transportation in some regions and large cities.
