Russia attacks Ukraine's power grid, two dead

Russian forces carried out airstrikes across 10 regions of Ukraine overnight, targeting five main electrical substations. Officials stated on Tuesday that these attacks caused widespread power outages and resulted in the death of two people. According to a report by The Straits Times, these attacks are part of a new aerial campaign by Russia against energy infrastructure with the onset of winter.

Ukraine's Prime Minister Serhiy Koretskyi stated on Telegram that Russia attacked substations in Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Vinnytsia, and Kirovohrad regions. Two people died in the Vinnytsia region. State grid operator Ukrenergo said that energy infrastructure was attacked in eight regions from night until morning, disrupting power supply to homes in six regions, including Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Dnipropetrovsk.

According to Andriy Raikovych, the governor of Kirovohrad region, civilian infrastructure, including a home improvement store, was also attacked. In the south-eastern Dnipropetrovsk region, Russia launched more than 20 drone attacks across four districts overnight. Russia has shifted its targets, increasing attacks on Ukrainian businesses and consumer logistics to weaken Kyiv's war efforts.

Ukraine is struggling to thwart these attacks due to a shortage of weapons to shoot down fast-moving ballistic missiles and jet-powered drones.

These attacks come as representatives from Russia, Ukraine, and the US began two days of talks in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. US envoy Jared Kushner stated that recent contacts have reduced the gap between the two sides. However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russia would not agree to an immediate ceasefire without knowing what would happen next.