Ukraine power grid hit by fresh Russian missile and drone attacks ahead of Abu Dhabi talks

Ukraine's power and utility networks suffered extensive damage after a wave of attacks involving over 30 ballistic missiles and more than 170 drones, officials said. Nine people, including a child, were reported injured across the country. President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on Telegram that Moscow was targeting "critical infrastructure" ahead of upcoming trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi.

Zelensky described severe disruptions in Kyiv, noting damage to residential buildings, the North Bridge and a kindergarten, as well as strikes on substations linking the Rivne and Khmelnytsky nuclear power plants to the capital. Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal confirmed power cuts in five regions but did not give a total number of households affected.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that the city's water supply had been restored and that about 60% of apartment buildings were receiving heating. The attacks occurred shortly after US First Lady Melania Trump hosted Russian and Ukrainian delegations at the White House, where she called for a "more enduring" ceasefire and thanked both Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Earlier in the week, glide bombs struck an aid centre near Zaporizhzhia, raising the death toll to 55 as rescue teams continued searching the rubble. Zelensky added that Ukraine was counting on increased bilateral support from the United States following the latest strikes.