Russia has launched a massive aerial assault on Ukraine, resulting in the loss of at least four lives and widespread power outages across the country.
The attack overnight into Monday, which targeted energy infrastructure, saw dozens of missiles and drones detected across almost all regions of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv and the eastern city of Dnipro were among the hardest hit, with reports of extensive power outages and property damage.
โRussian terrorists have once again targeted energy infrastructure, at least 15 regions were targeted by a combination of drones, cruise missiles and hypersonic Kinzhal missiles,โ Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal wrote Monday on Telegram.
Ukraineโs national energy company, Ukrenergo, has been forced to implement emergency power cuts to stabilize the system.
The overnight assault came hours after Ukraineโs foreign ministry called on Belarus to withdraw its troops and equipment from their shared border.
The attack has caused significant damage and disruption, with deaths reported in several regions, including Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Volyn, and Zhytomyr.
The extent of the damage is still being investigated, but Ukraineโs Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said โthe energy sector is in the crosshairs.โ
Emergency services are scrambling to respond to the aftermath of the attack, with rescue teams working tirelessly to search for survivors and provide aid to those affected.
The widespread aerial assault has prompted Ukrainian officials to once again ask their allies to allow them to strike deeper into Russia.
โThere are two specific decisions that our partners can make to help us put an end to Russian terror sooner. First, affirming Ukraineโs long-range strikes on all legitimate military targets on Russian territory.
โSecond, agreeing to use partnersโ air defense capabilities to shoot down missiles and drones close to their airspace.
โNone of these decisions are escalatory. To the contrary, they will deter Russia, help to reduce terror and the number of Russian attacks, as well as the resulting casualties,โ Ukraineโs Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote on X.
The Ukrainian government has condemned the attack as a brazen violation of international law and a blatant disregard for human life.
โRussian attacks have no justification. They must be strongly condemned and met with tangible action by the international community,โ the Foreign Minister added.
The situation remains dire, with residents without power and water in many parts of Kyiv. The international community is urging an immediate end to the hostilities and a return to diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict peacefully.