Blackouts and water shortages in Kyiv after Russia strikes Ukraine’s energy grid

Ukraine's president accused Russia of attempting to "plunge Kyiv and the entire country into a blackout" following the overnight assault on energy infrastructure and a bridge over the Dnipro River. The attacks occurred as negotiators from Russia, Ukraine and the US prepare to meet Tuesday and Wednesday in Abu Dhabi for talks aimed at ending the war.

Zelenskyy appealed to the US Congress, now controlled by Democrats after the midterm elections, to increase support for Ukraine amid the relentless bombardment. "Ukraine must not be left alone. We are counting on increased bilateral support from the US," he said.

Infrastructure Damage

The Russian strike involved 172 drones and 36 ballistic missiles targeting substations in five regions, including one connecting two nuclear power plants to Kyiv. The city's Northern Bridge, a key transport artery, was closed as workers repaired damage to the road's surface and power lines.

Kyiv residents faced serious difficulties with electricity, water and heat supplies, with five people injured including a 14-year-old girl. Ukrainian officials described the attacks as a war crime aimed at freezing civilians into submission during the brutal winter months.

Peace Talks Skepticism

Ukrainian officials have little confidence that the US-backed peace talks will yield concrete results. Zelenskyy described Jared Kushner's latest blueprint as "Yalta 2.0" – a reference to the 1945 summit that divided postwar Europe.

Kushner's proposed talks include a new security framework for Europe and guarantees for Ukraine, which appears to reference Russia's longstanding demand that Nato's expansion be reversed. Zelenskyy emphasized that Moscow must end its war first before any wider security architecture could be considered.