Mass Russian Air Barrage Blackouts Kyiv as Ukraine Decries Use of Nuclear-Capable Missile

Overview

• Ukrainian officials report roughly 300 attack drones and dozens of missiles were launched, with air defenses downing 247 drones and seven missiles.
• Power was cut to most of Kyiv and multiple regions after strikes on power plants and substations, with temperatures plunging to as low as −19 °C and heating and water services disrupted.
• Authorities say at least four people were killed and dozens wounded, including casualties in Kharkiv where a children’s medical facility and a postal site were hit.
• Washington condemned Russia’s reported use of the nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile system as a dangerous escalation, though there is no indication nuclear warheads were used.
• Moscow claims the attack was retaliation for an alleged December strike on President Vladimir Putin’s residence, a charge Kyiv rejects.