Russia plans 1,000-missile blitz on Ukraine's power grid, risking winter humanitarian crisis

Russia plans to launch up to 1,000 missiles against Ukraine's energy infrastructure, potentially causing a humanitarian crisis this winter, according to the New York Times. The campaign would target power plants, substations, and water facilities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Putin of abandoning the rules of war to exhaust the population. Russian drones struck Kyiv's Pivdennyi bridge and a residential building, killing one person. Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal has presented an emergency plan to European allies. The Russian embassy in Rome criticized Italian media for biased coverage, warning that defending Kaliningrad could involve "all available means." Putin attended the Tsentr-2026 exercises in the Urals with Belarus, China, Kyrgyzstan, and Pakistan participating.