6 killed as Russia launches major assault on Ukraine

New Delhi, Aug 26: At least six people have been killed after Russia launched a massive attack across Ukraine, targeting power and water supplies and causing widespread destruction. Explosions were reported in several cities, including Kyiv, as more than half of the country’s regions came under attack.

According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russia launched over 100 missiles and about 100 attack drones overnight, primarily targeting “critical civilian infrastructure” across the country.

In a statement, Zelensky emphasized that areas such as Kharkiv, Kyiv, Odesa, and other western regions were severely impacted. While Ukrainian air defences managed to down 30 drones and missiles over Kyiv, major damage was inflicted on the country’s energy facilities. Repair crews are now working around the clock to restore power, but the situation remains tense and local residents fear more attacks.

Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal confirmed that 15 regions were attacked, with drones, cruise missiles, and Kinzhal hypersonic missiles—much harder to intercept—being used in the assault. Shmyhal noted that the country’s energy infrastructure was one of the main targets, with emergency power cuts.

These latest attacks appear to be another attempt by Moscow to disrupt Ukraine’s energy supplies ahead of the winter. Since March, Russia has damaged dozens of energy facilities, resulting in the loss of half of Ukraine’s electricity generation capacity and about 80% of its thermal power generation capacity. Power outages have been reported in many Ukrainian cities, and water supplies have been disrupted.

In response to these escalating attacks, Ukrainian leaders are once again urging their Western allies to provide long-range weapon systems and grant permission to use them on Russian soil. Shmyhal argued that Ukraine needs the capability to strike at the locations from which these attacks are being launched.

Amidst the violence, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced that ceasefire negotiations with Ukraine have “pretty much lost their relevance.” He stated that Russia is responding to Ukraine’s recent incursion into the Kursk region, dismissing any current possibility of peace talks.

Just two days ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Ukraine, meeting with President Zelensky. During his visit, Modi emphasized that dialogue, not war, is the only way forward to bring peace to the region.

He expressed India’s readiness to do whatever it can to help restore peace. However, with Russia’s latest actions and the Kremlin’s stance on negotiations, the prospects for a peaceful resolution seem increasingly distant.

As the situation continues to evolve, another air raid alert has been issued for Kyiv, and residents are being urged to seek shelter.