Massive overnight Russian attack leaves over half a million Ukrainians without power, Zelensky says

More than half a million people across Ukraine are without power due to a massive Russian strike against energy facilities and other critical infrastructure overnight, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X/Twitter on Monday.

"Another Russian ballistic missile attack came in several waves overnight, and once again, there was no early warning from our partners," Zelensky wrote. "They again targeted energy facilities and infrastructure, but a medical clinic, a school, a metro station, and ordinary residential buildings were also damaged."

"In this one night alone, more than 10 energy infrastructure facilities were damaged, and the lights went out for at least 550,000 families. Repair crews are working at the sites."

Zelensky added that  Russia had launched 16 ballistic missiles and more than 200 drones of various types, including jet-powered Shahed drones.

"Unfortunately, there are casualties," he stated, sending condolences to their families.

"Ukraine never wanted this war, and we responded positively to literally EVERY attempt by our partners to end this war honorably—to EVERY ceasefire proposal, our answer was positive," Zelensky continued. "Ballistics, 'Shaheds,' and killings are, again and again, Russia's responses."

"Putin doesn't want not only an end to this war, but even any de-escalatory steps. EVERY one of our partners has faced this personally when hearing refusals from Russia. And it's very important to call things by their proper names. To call the aggressor an aggressor and to help Ukraine protect lives."

Earlier in the day, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday its forces had carried out a "massive strike" on targets in Kyiv and Ukraine's capital region, targeting military-industrial facilities, storage sites for cruise missiles and drones, and data centers.

Reuters contributed to this report.