KYIV – In a relentless overnight assault, Russia unleashed a barrage of over 300 drones, ballistic, and cruise missiles on Ukraine’s power infrastructure, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported on Tuesday. This aggressive move underscores Moscow’s unwavering commitment to its ongoing conflict with Ukraine, showing no signs of a ceasefire.

The attack severely affected Kyiv, plunging over 5,600 apartment buildings into cold as their heating systems were disrupted, according to Kyiv’s Mayor Vitali Klitschko. This comes as a significant blow, especially considering that nearly 80% of these buildings had only recently regained heating after a previous massive assault on January 9, which left thousands without power for days.

Ukraine is currently facing one of its harshest winters, with temperatures in the capital plummeting to -20°C (-4°F). Amid these freezing conditions, Russia has intensified its aerial strikes on Ukraine’s electrical grid. The strategy appears to be aimed at depriving Ukrainians of heat and water, testing their endurance nearly four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion began on February 24, 2022.

In the diplomatic arena, Ukrainian officials are striving to sustain the momentum of peace negotiations led by the United States. A Ukrainian delegation traveled to the U.S. over the weekend, with their mission centered on highlighting the impact of Russia’s persistent attacks on diplomatic efforts, as stated by President Zelenskyy.

Furthermore, Zelenskyy noted that the delegation’s goals include finalizing peace settlement documents with U.S. officials, focusing on postwar security guarantees and economic recovery. Should these proposals gain approval, the U.S. and Ukraine could potentially formalize their agreements at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, this week.

Ukraine’s air force command said that 27 missiles and 315 drones were shot down or jammed, while five missiles and 24 drones hit 11 locations.

The constant attacks have stretched Ukraine’s air defenses and, according to Zelenskyy, some systems recently ran out of ammunition before a new shipment arrived.

He said late Monday that air defenses are adopting a new approach, with the appointment of a new deputy air force commander, Pavlo Yelizarov.

“This system will be transformed,” he said, without providing details.

Ukraine relies on sophisticated air defense systems produced by Western countries, especially the U.S., to thwart Russia’s missile and drone attacks.

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