Russian strikes trigger Ukraine power cuts, prompt Poland to scramble jets

At least three people, including a child, killed in missile and drone barrage across Ukraine, officials say.Published On 23 Dec 2025Russia has hit regions across Ukraine with missiles and drones, killing at least three people and triggering emergency power outages as United States-led talks to end the nearly four-year conflict dragged on.In a social media post, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a four-year-old in the Zhytomyr region was among those killed during the Russian attacks that took place “in the midst of negotiations aimed at ending this war”.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,398list 2 of 3US says talks with Russia, Ukraine in Miami ‘constructive, productive’list 3 of 3Car bomb kills Russian general in Moscowend of list“This Russian strike sends an extremely clear signal about Russia’s priorities,” he said, urging Ukraine’s Western partners to increase pressure on Moscow.A woman in the Kyiv region and another person in the Khmelnytskyi region were also killed, Zelenskyy added.There was no immediate comment by Russia, which denies targeting civilians since it invaded Ukraine in February 2022.Ukraine’s power operator Ukrenergo said on Tuesday that the “massive missile and drone attack” had caused fires in several regions, leading it to impose “emergency power outages” across the country, where winter temperatures are currently dipping towards freezing.Firefighters extinguish a burning cargo vessel damaged in a Russian overnight attack on a port in Odesa region [Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Odesa region/Handout via Reuters]Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said energy infrastructure in Ukraine’s western regions suffered the most damage in the overnight attacks, which included dozens of missiles and more than 600 drones.The country’s air force reported that air raid alerts covered nearly all of Ukraine as of 06:20 GMT, as Russia intensifies its attacks during winter to disrupt electricity and heating and to strain logistics and the economy.