Russia's defence ministry announced on Sunday that it is preparing large-scale attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure in response to Kyiv's ongoing strikes on Russian civilian infrastructure and oil and energy facilities. The announcement came via a Telegram post, stating: "Russian forces have begun preparations for massive strikes against facilities in Ukraine's energy sector in response to the ongoing attacks by the Kyiv regime on civilian infrastructure and on Russia's oil and energy complex."
This move echoes Moscow's strategy from last winter, when repeated strikes on Ukrainian power plants devastated the country's energy sector, plunging millions into cold and darkness during sub-zero temperatures. The new threat follows a significant escalation in the conflict, marked by a deadly warehouse strike and continued attacks on both sides.
Warehouse strike death toll rises to 38
The death toll from a Russian strike on a warehouse west of Kyiv has risen to 38, with four people still missing, according to Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on Sunday. This makes it the deadliest attack of the year. The Friday night strike on the warehouse, which Ukrainian officials said was storing ammunition, triggered massive explosions and fires that swept through dozens of nearby homes and buildings in the village of Myla.
In the capital, Kyiv, Russian strikes on Saturday killed a 2-year-old girl and injured 12 others, as reported by the city's mayor, Vitali Klitschko. The attacks have intensified, with jet-powered drones plaguing Kyiv for four consecutive days, killing residents, damaging homes and warehouses, and disrupting daily life.
Civilian casualties and cross-border attacks
In eastern Ukraine, a 13-year-old and an adult died after Russian troops dropped bombs on private houses in the village of Bilbasovka on Sunday, according to local official Vadim Lyakh. Meanwhile, a missile attack killed two people and injured 16 others in the Russian city of Belgorod, close to the border with Ukraine, on Sunday evening, as stated by acting governor Alexander Shuvayev on Telegram. He said Ukraine hit a commercial facility, causing fires in seven warehouses in the city.
Another person was killed in a Ukrainian attack on a mine in the Russian-controlled part of the Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine, according to the region's Russian-installed governor, Leonid Pasechnik. The cross-border exchanges highlight the ongoing volatility and reciprocal nature of the conflict.
Ukraine seeks financial support and interceptor tests
Ukraine's defence minister, Yevhenii Khmara, said Kyiv wants to bring forward part of a European Union loan earmarked for next year to help cover a $27bn budget deficit this year. In comments to reporters released on Sunday, he added that Kyiv's war plan must be clear to Ukraine's partners and across the military chain of command. Khmara also revealed that Ukraine has tested four potential interceptors to shoot down the jet-powered drones Russia is increasingly using.
President Zelenskyy said on Sunday that Ukraine is preparing for further talks with representatives of US president Donald Trump. "There will be more details tomorrow. We will do everything we can so that war does not remain the only option for how events unfold further. It is important that America shares many of our views on the situation," he said in a televised statement.
Nato assesses threat level
A Nato official said on Sunday that Russia is stepping up hybrid acts in Europe, but the alliance currently sees no imminent threat of attack. "Even as the Russians are facing very substantial resistance from Ukraine, they are stepping up attacks on Ukraine as well as hybrid acts in Europe," the official said. "As always, Nato remains vigilant and alert to the variety of threats we face. At this time, we see no imminent threat of attack." The official added: "We continue to stand with Ukraine. And Nato continues to work around the clock to keep our one billion people safe."
