Russia's massive strike on Ukraine's power grid leaves 550,000 homes without electricity

Russia launched a massive overnight aerial attack on Ukraine's energy system, leaving at least 550,000 households without electricity, according to Ukrainian officials cited by Reuters. The strikes targeted energy facilities across 11 Ukrainian regions, prompting rotating power outages and consumption restrictions for industry, said Deputy Energy Minister Artem Nekrasov. Russia's Defense Ministry confirmed a "massive strike" on targets in Kyiv and the surrounding region, claiming it hit military-industrial sites, cruise missile and drone depots, and data centers. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine received no advance warning from partners, specifically the U.S., about the launches. He reported 16 ballistic missiles aimed at Kyiv and over 200 drones across multiple regions, damaging a clinic, school, metro station, and residential buildings. He criticized blocked air defense missile deliveries and sanctions relief for Russia as a denial of reality.