Ukraine plunges into darkness as Russia attacks energy facilities ahead of Zelensky-Trump meeting | Look

Russia has launched a massive attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, deploying hundreds of drones and scores of missiles in a major attack on the country’s power grid, authorities said Thursday, according to AP. Emergency power outages occurred in several regions of Ukraine, and the state energy company announced that these outages would remain in effect until today, according to Russia Today. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was due to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House to request additional US-supplied air defense systems and long-range missiles. While weighing Zelensky’s request for US missiles, Trump announced after Thursday’s phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin that the two leaders plan to meet in Budapest, Hungary, in an effort to help end the war. However, no date has been scheduled for the meeting. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he would discuss his conversation with Putin “and much more” during his meeting with Zelenskyy on Friday, noting that “I believe great progress was made with today’s phone conversation.” Eight regions in Ukraine experienced power outages following the latest wave of attacks, according to the national energy operator, Ukrenergo. DTEK, the country’s largest private energy provider, reported power outages in Kyiv and announced it had halted natural gas production in the central Poltava region because of the strikes. Naftogaz, Ukraine’s state-owned oil and gas company, stated that natural gas infrastructure had been damaged for the sixth time this month. TOPSHOT – A person walks on an unlit street during a power outage in the town of Lozova, Kharkiv region, on October 16, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Roman PILIPEY / AFP) A cashier waits in a supermarket during a power outage in the town of Lozova, Kharkiv region, on October 16, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Roman PILIPEY / AFP) Zelensky on Russia’s attacks Zelensky claimed that Russia launched more than 300 drones and 37 missiles at Ukraine overnight. He accused Russia of using cluster munitions and deliberately targeting the same sites multiple times to hit emergency responders and recovery crews working to restore power. Zelensky said on Telegram: “This fall, the Russians are using every day to attack our energy infrastructure.” Since the start of its invasion more than three years ago, Russia has consistently targeted Ukraine’s power grid. These attacks typically intensify as winter approaches, a tactic Ukrainian officials describe as “weaponizing winter.” However, Russia maintains that it only hits military-related targets. In response, Ukraine has targeted Russian oil refineries and related facilities vital to both the Russian economy and its military operations. Ukraine’s General Staff said Thursday that its forces had struck the Saratov oil refinery, located about 500 kilometers (300 miles) from the Ukrainian border, for the second time in two months. Russian authorities have not yet commented on the claim. (With input from AP)