KYIV – In a significant escalation, Russia unleashed another extensive drone and missile assault on Ukraine, marking the second such attack in just four days. Ukrainian officials reported this on Tuesday, noting the continued targeting of the nation’s power infrastructure amidst the looming four-year anniversary of the conflict. This move seemingly ignores ongoing peace initiatives spearheaded by the United States.

According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the overnight offensive saw Russia deploy nearly 300 drones, along with 18 ballistic and seven cruise missiles, targeting eight different regions. Zelenskyy shared these details via social media.

Tragically, one of the attacks in the northeastern Kharkiv region resulted in four fatalities at a mail depot. In Kyiv, several hundred thousand homes found themselves without electricity. The city faced harsh conditions, with temperatures dropping to -12°C (around 10°F). Its streets were icy, and the hum of generators filled the air.

Just four days prior, a similarly intense wave of drones and missiles had been launched by Russia. During that assault, a new and potent hypersonic missile was used for only the second time in the war, targeting western Ukraine. This action appeared to serve as a stark warning to Kyiv’s NATO allies, underscoring Russia’s determination not to retreat.

Amidst these developments, the United States condemned Russia’s actions on Monday, describing them as a “dangerous and inexplicable escalation” at a time when efforts to advance peace talks are being pursued by the Trump administration.

Tammy Bruce, the U.S. deputy ambassador to the United Nations, told an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council that Washington deplores “the staggering number of casualties” in the conflict and condemns Russia’s intensifying attacks on energy and other infrastructure.

Russia has sought to deny Ukrainian civilians heat and running water in the freezing winter months over the course of the war, hoping to wear down public resistance to Moscow’s full-scale invasion, which began on Feb. 24, 2022. Ukrainian officials describe the strategy as “weaponizing winter.”

In Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, the Russian attack also wounded 10 people, local authorities said.

In the southern city of Odesa, six people were wounded in the attack, said Oleh Kiper, the head of the regional military administration. The strikes damaged energy infrastructure, a hospital, a kindergarten, an educational facility and a number of residential buildings, he said.

Zelenskyy said that Ukraine is counting on quicker deliveries of agreed upon air defense systems from the U.S. and Europe, as well as new pledges of aid, to counter Russia’s latest onslaught.

Meanwhile, Russian air defenses shot down 11 Ukrainian drones overnight, Russia’s Ministry of Defense said Tuesday. Seven were reportedly destroyed over Russia’s Rostov region, where Gov. Yuri Slyusar confirmed an attack on the coastal city of Taganrog.

Ukrainian officials have previously said that they have targeted Atlant Aero, a company in Taganrog that produces components for combat drones. The city also hosts the Beriev aircraft company.

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Katie Marie Davies contributed to this report from Manchester, England.

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Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine