Russia launches major assault on Ukraine with missiles and drones

Russia carried out a significant overnight assault on Ukrainian territory, deploying 39 ballistic missiles alongside more than 120 drones in a coordinated strike that primarily targeted the nation's electrical grid infrastructure. The scale of the bombardment underscored Russia's continued strategy of degrading Ukraine's civilian infrastructure as winter conditions intensify across the region.

The attack left approximately 600,000 people without power across Ukraine, adding to ongoing humanitarian challenges facing the country. Power generation facilities emerged as the primary target of the assault, reflecting Moscow's apparent focus on disrupting essential services during the colder months.

In response to the attack, Ukraine's leadership appealed to the United States and Western allies for enhanced support, specifically requesting stricter sanctions against Russia and the provision of Patriot air defense missile systems. The plea highlights Ukraine's urgent need for advanced defensive capabilities to counter Russia's aerial bombardment campaigns.

The strike represents the latest in a series of sustained Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure since the full-scale invasion began. Military analysts have noted the pattern of coordinated missile and drone assaults designed to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses and inflict maximum damage on civilian infrastructure networks.