Three killed as Russia launches large-scale attack across Ukraine

No fewer than three people, including a four-year-old child, were killed in a large overnight missile and drone assault on Ukraine by Russia. 

The attack began during the night and continued into Tuesday, with officials reporting that Russia fired more than 650 drones and three dozen missiles.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the strikes hit homes and the power grid in 13 regions, leaving many without electricity in freezing temperatures.

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“It is an extremely clear signal of Russian priorities,” Zelenskyy said. “A strike before Christmas, when people want to be with their families, at home, in safety. A strike, in fact, in the midst of negotiations that are being conducted to end this war. Putin cannot accept the fact that we must stop killing.”

According to Zelenskyy, the child died in the northwestern Zhytomyr region, a woman was killed by a drone in the Kyiv region, and another civilian died in the western Khmelnytskyi region.

Ukraine’s air force said it intercepted most of the attacks, stopping 587 drones and 34 missiles.

According to Sky News, Poland and allied fighter jets were deployed near the western border in response to the strikes.

The assault damaged power stations and energy infrastructure across the country.

Acting Energy Minister, Artem Nekraso said emergency outages were in place, with restoration work to begin when the security situation allowed.

DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private energy supplier, said the attack hit its thermal power stations for the seventh time since October.

Russia’s attack came a day after Mr Zelenskyy described progress toward a peace deal as “quite solid.”

United States President Donald Trump has been pushing for a peace agreement, and US envoy Steve Witkoff described recent talks in Florida as “productive and constructive,” though Trump said Monday, “The talks are going along.”

(Sky News)