Russia fires 36 ballistic missiles at Kyiv energy grid before Abu Dhabi talks
Russia struck power infrastructure around Kyiv overnight on Friday with 36 ballistic missiles, including North Korean KN-23s, and 172 drones; Ukraine’s air force intercepted only four of the missiles. The Northern Bridge over the Dnipro was damaged and at least two people were killed across the country. “The capital is facing serious difficulties with its electricity, water, and heat supplies,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, with temperatures near freezing.
The energy ministry said lines carrying power from two nuclear plants to Kyiv and the central regions were hit, with substations struck in five other regions. Mr Zelenskyy accused Moscow of “preparing for trilateral talks by launching ballistic missiles at Ukraine’s critical infrastructure” — US-brokered talks between Moscow and Kyiv are due in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday — and appealed for Patriot interceptors, saying “the United States is in the best position to help address it”. Moscow said it targeted military-industrial, energy and transport sites. Air defences downed 149 of the 172 drones; the four-in-36 missile intercept rate is the watchpoint for the winter.