Ukraine: Russia launches major missile attack as US cuts off military aid

Russian forces launched a large-scale overnight missile and drone assault on Ukraine's energy and gas infrastructure, marking the first such major strike since the US halted intelligence sharing with Kyiv. This escalation adds to the mounting challenges Ukraine faces as US President Donald Trump pushes for a swift resolution to the conflict.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, striving to reinforce Western backing following Trump's diplomatic overtures toward Moscow, proposed a ceasefire limited to air and sea operations — excluding ground forces — an initiative initially suggested by France.

"The first steps toward genuine peace should involve compelling the sole instigator of this war — Russia — to cease such attacks," Zelenskyy stated on the Telegram messaging platform in response to the overnight barrage.

According to Ukraine's air force, Russia launched 67 missiles and 194 drones during the attack. Ukrainian defences managed to intercept 34 missiles and 100 drones. Officials from multiple regions, including the northeastern city of Kharkiv and the western city of Ternopil, reported damage to energy facilities and infrastructure. Authorities confirmed that eight individuals sustained injuries in Kharkiv, while two more — one of them a child — were wounded in Poltava.

"Russia persists in its campaign of energy terror," declared energy minister German Galushchenko. "Once again, energy and gas infrastructure in various Ukrainian regions has been subjected to intense missile and drone strikes."

While Russian drone attacks on Ukrainian cities are a nightly occurrence, Friday's offensive marked the first large-scale strike since the US temporarily suspended military assistance and intelligence-sharing this week.

Ukraine's once-close ties with the US have deteriorated significantly following a tense exchange between Zelenskyy and Trump in the Oval Office last week, broadcast live to the world.

Trump has signaled a desire to secure access to rare earth minerals, and his post-meeting remarks suggested he views Zelenskyy — whom he previously labeled a "dictator" — as an impediment to his vision for ending the war.

Attempting to mend relations, Zelenskyy declared on Tuesday that Kyiv remained open to negotiations and was willing to operate under Trump's leadership, describing recent events in Washington as "unfortunate."

In another move aimed at reestablishing dialogue, Zelenskyy announced plans to visit Saudi Arabia on Monday for discussions with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. His trip coincides with scheduled talks between US and Ukrainian officials later in the week.

Steve Witkoff, Trump's special envoy, has already engaged in extensive discussions with Russian representatives and confirmed ongoing negotiations with Ukraine regarding a framework for peace. He also affirmed that Ukrainian officials would meet US representatives in Saudi Arabia next week.

"Ukraine has always sought peace, from the very first moment of this war. The priority is to compel Russia to halt its aggression," Zelenskyy reiterated on Telegram.

However, significant differences remain between Washington and Kyiv regarding a potential settlement. Ukraine is seeking firm security assurances, but the US has been hesitant to provide binding commitments, instead suggesting that an agreement on critical minerals could suffice as a solution.

On the battlefield, Ukraine faces numerical disadvantages, with Russian forces continuing their steady advance in the eastern Donetsk region. Ukrainian troops are also under significant pressure while defending positions in Russia’s Kursk region.

Throughout the conflict, Russia has relentlessly targeted Ukraine’s power infrastructure, severely damaging nearly half of the country's electricity-generating capacity and prompting periodic blackouts. In recent months, Moscow has increasingly focused on striking natural gas infrastructure, essential for heating, cooking, and industrial operations.

"Gas production facilities have been damaged, but fortunately, there were no casualties," reported Naftogaz, Ukraine’s state energy company.

DTEK, Ukraine's largest private energy firm, confirmed that its gas production operations in the central Poltava region were forced to shut down following substantial damage from Friday’s attack.

The suspension of US military aid and intelligence support may further weaken Ukraine’s air defenses. As stocks of advanced missiles dwindle, experts warn that Ukraine could struggle to effectively track and intercept incoming attacks.

With agency inputs