Russia escalates conflict with missile and drone strikes on Ukraine during fragile peace negotiations

DCM Editorial Summary: This story has been independently rewritten and summarised for DCM readers to highlight key developments relevant to the region. Original reporting by News 18, click this post to read the original full article.

Ukraine Hit by Overnight Wave of Missiles and Drones; Energy Sites Targeted. (Representative Photo: X/ @alternative_war)

Russia has launched one of its most significant winter assaults on Ukraine, targeting energy infrastructure with a barrage of missiles and drones. This large-scale attack occurred overnight, coinciding with Ukraine’s Armed Forces Day, and resulted in damage to key infrastructure across multiple regions. Despite Ukraine’s air defenses intercepting a substantial number of these attacks, 29 locations were still hit, leading to injuries for at least eight individuals, according to Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko.

The strikes primarily aimed at power stations and energy facilities, reflecting Russia’s ongoing strategy to undermine Ukraine’s electricity grid as winter temperatures drop. Notably, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant experienced a loss of off-site power due to the strikes, raising concerns about the need for continuous power to cool stored fuel and prevent nuclear risks, even though the reactors are currently shut down.

In response, Ukraine has intensified its long-range drone attacks on Russian energy facilities, aiming to diminish Moscow’s oil revenues. Russian officials claimed to have downed a significant number of Ukrainian drones during the assault, while Ukrainian forces successfully targeted the Ryazan Oil Refinery within Russia, although the extent of the damage remains unclear.

The escalation in military action comes amidst ongoing peace discussions involving Ukrainian officials and advisers to US President Donald Trump in Florida. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine’s commitment to achieving genuine peace, but acknowledged that progress hinges on Russia’s willingness to engage seriously in long-term peace negotiations. Leaders from the UK, France, and Germany are also set to meet with Zelenskyy in London to further these discussions.