Blackouts and water shortages in Kyiv after Russia strikes Ukraine’s energy grid

Key Points:

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of attempting to plunge Kyiv and the entire country into blackout through a large-scale attack on energy infrastructure and a key bridge, involving 172 drones and 36 ballistic missiles.
• The attacks caused severe disruptions to Kyiv's electricity, water, and heat supplies, injuring five people, and targeted substations linking nuclear power plants to the city, while the Northern Bridge was closed for repairs.
• Zelenskyy appealed to the newly elected US Congress for increased support amid relentless Russian bombardment, expressing skepticism about upcoming US-backed peace talks in Abu Dhabi, which he criticized as potentially echoing the divisive 1945 Yalta Conference.
• Russia's defense ministry stated the strikes targeted energy and transport infrastructure, intensifying air attacks as its frontline progress has stalled, with Russia suffering heavy troop losses recently.
• Zelenskyy emphasized that Moscow must end the war first and provide meaningful security guarantees before any broader European security framework discussions, warning that conceding to Russia's demands could undermine NATO.