Three Killed as Russia Launches Widespread Overnight Attacks Across Ukraine

Russia has carried out a large scale overnight assault on multiple Ukrainian cities, killing at least three people and causing widespread damage to energy infrastructure, Ukrainian officials said. The attacks came just days before Christmas, intensifying fears among civilians already facing another winter marked by conflict, blackouts, and uncertainty.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the strikes as massive, saying they targeted several regions simultaneously and showed little regard for civilian safety. According to authorities, those killed included a four year old child, underscoring the human cost of the latest wave of attacks. Emergency services said residential areas were hit alongside critical infrastructure.

Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched a combined barrage of 635 drones and 38 missiles overnight. Of those, 621 drones and missiles were intercepted or destroyed by air defence systems, a figure officials said demonstrated the effectiveness of Ukraine’s defences despite the scale of the assault. Nevertheless, some projectiles evaded interception, causing casualties and damage on the ground.

Energy facilities were among the main targets, continuing a pattern seen throughout the conflict. Officials said several regions experienced power outages after strikes damaged electricity infrastructure. Repair crews were deployed as soon as conditions allowed, but authorities warned that restoring full service could take time in some areas, particularly where facilities suffered repeated hits.

Zelensky said the timing of the attacks was especially painful for Ukrainians preparing for Christmas. He noted that many families simply want to spend the holiday period together at home in safety, a hope repeatedly disrupted by air raid sirens and explosions. He added that the strikes sent a clear message about Moscow’s priorities, despite ongoing discussions about possible peace efforts.

The latest assault followed Zelensky’s warning a day earlier that Russia could intensify attacks over the Christmas period. Ukrainian officials said intelligence assessments had pointed to an increased risk of strikes aimed at weakening morale and putting additional pressure on civilians during winter, when energy systems are most vulnerable.

Russia has not publicly commented on the specific overnight attacks, but has previously defended strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure as part of its military objectives. Ukraine and its allies argue that targeting power grids and civilian areas amounts to deliberate pressure on the population rather than legitimate military action.

International reaction to the latest attacks has been swift, with renewed calls for continued military and humanitarian support for Ukraine. Analysts say the scale of the barrage highlights both Russia’s continued capacity to launch large attacks and Ukraine’s reliance on sustained air defence supplies from Western partners.

As the conflict approaches another holiday season, many Ukrainians face Christmas under the shadow of war. For families affected by the latest strikes, the focus remains on survival and recovery rather than celebration. Authorities urged residents to follow air raid warnings closely and seek shelter when alerts are issued, warning that further attacks cannot be ruled out in the days ahead.