Ukraine: Massive overnight attack leaves millions in the dark

Russian forces launched hundreds of drones and several missiles in the capital Kyiv and other cities, including one that can carry nuclear warheads, according to media reports. 

At least four people were killed in Kyiv, and roughly 25 others injured, while thousands of apartment buildings in the city were left without heat in the cold weather. 

The victims included a medic who was saving others as part of an emergency services team, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) said in a tweet.  Four healthcare workers were injured, and three ambulances were damaged. 

Attacks ‘must stop immediately’: Guterres

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement issued by his Spokesperson that he strongly condemned the ongoing targeted missile and drone attacks.

“These attacks have resulted in significant civilian casualties and deprived millions of Ukrainians of essential services, including electricity, heating and water at a time of acute humanitarian need,” the statement added.

“Attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure violate international humanitarian law. No matter where they occur, they are unacceptable, unjustifiable, and must stop immediately.”

Millions without heat 

In a social media post, UNICEF said that three children were reportedly injured in the massive attack across Ukraine which “left millions without heating, water and power.” 

The agency “is further bolstering energy systems to also enable repairs and is working around the clock with local authorities to help keep critical services for children and families running.”  

In the city of Kryyvi Rih in central Ukraine, aid workers distributed hot meals to affected residents and first responders, in addition to providing construction materials to cover damaged apartments, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) tweeted. 

A continuing ‘trend’  

The attack occurred in a week when massive airstrikes were carried out on Kharkiv in the northeast, Dnipro in the east, and the Kherson region in the southeast, said Elisabeth Haslund, spokesperson for the UN refugee agency, UNHCR. 

“It’s really emphasising the continuation of this trend with intensified Russian attacks on Ukraine that we have witnessed on the ground for several months. And this is clearly continuing now into 2026,” she told UN News. 

The ongoing war together with severe attacks, winter weather conditions and targeting of the energy infrastructure are making the humanitarian situation in Ukraine “extremely serious,” she added. 

UNHCR and local partners have been responding with critical and life-saving emergency aid, which includes providing emergency shelter materials to families, psychosocial support, counselling and legal aid for people who have lost documents or need assistance in accessing compensation.  

Support for families 

The UN continues to call for an end to the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began on 24 February 2022. Since then, more than 50,000 civilians have been killed or injured, although the actual number is likely higher. 

WHO said that so far this year, it has documented nine attacks on healthcare, two deaths and 11 injuries. 

UNICEF has been in the country since before the conflict began. 

It supports families in numerous ways, including working to ensure the functionality of heating infrastructure, providing solid fuel as well as winter clothing and blankets for children, rehabilitating school shelters, and enabling access to safe water in areas where supply networks have been damaged or destroyed. 

Last month, UNICEF launched a $350 million appeal to provide humanitarian assistance in Ukraine this year with the goal of supporting 4.3 million people, including 725,000 children.