Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha urged international partners to deliver a “strong and consolidated” response after Russia launched a massive overnight attack Thursday-Friday on critical civilian infrastructure across the country, killing a child, injuring dozens, and leaving cities without power.
“Russian terrorists struck critical civilian infrastructure, particularly energy, across Ukraine with hundreds of drones and missiles,” Sybiha wrote on X, adding that the assault coincided with the anniversary of Moscow’s first large-scale attack on Ukraine’s energy grid on Oct. 10, 2022.
According to Sybiha, the coordinated strikes, which hit Kyiv, Kharkiv, Poltava, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, and other regions, killed a seven-year-old boy in Zaporizhzhia and injured dozens of civilians. Large parts of the country remain without electricity as temperatures continue to drop.
“Our energy workers are true heroes working to restore power, but we urgently need increased energy assistance from our partners,” he said.
Sybiha condemned Moscow’s actions as a clear violation of international law, arguing that cutting off power during cold autumn weather “amounts to genocide” under Article II(c) of the Genocide Convention, which defines genocide as creating “conditions of life calculated to bring about the destruction” of a national group.
The minister also drew a stark comparison with Hamas, noting that even the militant group “has agreed to a ceasefire and peace efforts,” while Russia “continues the senseless war it began — a war it cannot and will not win.”
Calling for decisive action, Sybiha urged the international community to increase pressure on Moscow through tougher sanctions, stronger military support for Ukraine, and full diplomatic isolation.
“Putin must feel that the cost of continuing the war exceeds the cost of stopping it,” he added.
“He must feel that continuing this war endangers his regime.”
The wave of Russian missile and drone strikes left more than half of Kyiv without electricity, officials said.
The large-scale assault targeted at least 10 energy facilities across the country, triggering fires, power outages, and damage to water systems. The Ukrainian Air Force said the capital came under massive attack from ballistic missiles and strike drones aimed at critical infrastructure.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said 12 people were wounded in the capital, including eight hospitalized, after strikes hit key power facilities.
“The left bank of the capital is without electricity. There are also problems with water supply,” he wrote on social media.
Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk said emergency crews were working to restore power as quickly as possible.