Russian strikes on nine regions of Ukraine have caused widespread power outages affecting hundreds of thousands of households, damaged numerous homes, and injured at least 15 people, Ukrainian officials reported Friday. The latest assaults on civilian infrastructure come amid escalating violence and rising civilian casualties as winter approaches, increasing concerns about Ukraine’s ability to withstand ongoing attacks.
The Russian military’s focus on crippling Ukraine’s power grid has become a recurring tactic during the war, intended to undermine civilian morale by depriving residents of heating and running water in the cold months. Ukrainian authorities have warned that Russia is accumulating ballistic missiles for intensified attacks in the coming months. The latest strikes coincided with the end of a brief ceasefire on energy-related targets, which Ukraine said Russia had violated despite former U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for a truce.
In Brussels on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended a summit of European Union leaders who reaffirmed their support for Ukraine and expressed alarm over Russia’s actions on the continent. The EU leaders urged the United States to maintain pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to curb Moscow’s aggression. Zelensky criticized the breakdown in U.S.-Ukraine relations this week, highlighting a public exchange of harsh remarks between himself and Trump that has raised concerns over future support.
Zelensky expressed feelings of betrayal by Trump, who in turn publicly questioned Zelensky’s reliability in an interview, calling him “not a good guy for us to deal with.” The Ukrainian president thanked the EU for its continued backing and emphasized the urgency of preparing for winter, stating there were no signs that Russia was willing to negotiate an end to the conflict.
A key issue underscored by Zelensky was Ukraine’s shortage of U.S.-made Patriot missiles needed to defend against Russian ballistic attacks. Although Ukraine has received some interceptors through purchases by European countries and transfers from other allies, Zelensky called for increased deliveries. He also condemned new restrictions imposed on Starshield, a military-grade version of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service that supports Ukrainian drone operations and military communications. Zelensky noted that limitations on the drones’ speed, which had dropped to 43 mph, are gradually being lifted to counter faster Russian jet-powered drones, though full restoration had not yet occurred.
Zelensky further criticized Trump’s diesel deal with Russia, contrasting it with international efforts to sanction Moscow in response to the invasion. He suggested that while many Americans support Ukraine, political dynamics in Washington are complicated.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas acknowledged the difficulty in securing unwavering U.S. support amid the current climate, pledging to advocate for continued assistance. Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, speaking as his country holds the EU presidency, also expressed widespread concern among European nations about recent developments in Ukraine.
Zelensky informed EU leaders that the war’s direct costs will reach $174 billion next year and that Ukraine requires at least $79 billion in aid from Europe to sustain its defense and recovery efforts.
Beyond power infrastructure, Russia has intensified attacks on residential buildings, public transport, cargo ships, data centers, and food stores. According to a recent United Nations human rights report released in Kyiv, civilian casualties surged in September, with at least 328 killed and over 2,100 wounded—an 85% increase compared to the same month last year. Early October has already seen a spike in deaths, including children, making it one of the deadliest periods for civilians in recent years, according to Danielle Bell, head of the UN office in Ukraine.
Ukrainian forces have responded with domestically developed long-range drones targeting Russian positions. The Russian Defense Ministry said it intercepted 644 Ukrainian drones overnight across multiple Russian regions, including the annexed Crimean Peninsula and the Black Sea. These defensive measures led to significant disruptions at several Russian airports, with delays and cancellations reported at Moscow and St. Petersburg facilities due to imposed overnight flight restrictions.