Politics Russia hits Kiev again with heavy airstrikes

SDA

20.1.2026 - 08:08

View of the left bank of the Dnipro River in Kiev as Ukraine was hit by severe frost, leaving people without electricity, heating and water due to regular Russian airstrikes on the country's energy sector. Photo: Efrem Lukatsky/AP/dpa
View of the left bank of the Dnipro River in Kiev as Ukraine was hit by severe frost, leaving people without electricity, heating and water due to regular Russian airstrikes on the country's energy sector. Photo: Efrem Lukatsky/AP/dpa
Keystone

According to the authorities, electricity, heating and water supplies have collapsed in many places in the Ukrainian capital Kiev following renewed Russian attacks during the night. "After this attack on the capital, 5,635 high-rise buildings are without heating," Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced on Telegram. He wrote that the majority of the buildings affected were those that had already been hit by the devastating Russian strike on January 9. According to the Ukrainian air force, Russia used missiles as well as drones and cruise missiles in the attack.

Keystone-SDA

According to preliminary information, one person was injured in the attack. According to the police, it was a 59-year-old woman. In addition to damage to power plants, residential buildings and private cars were hit. Several cars went up in flames due to falling drone debris. Klitschko announced that the water supply had also failed on the left bank of the Dnipro.

For Kiev, this is the worst winter since the start of the war. Russia is systematically bombarding the neighboring country's energy system in its war against Ukraine. The grid is now so weakened that there are power cuts lasting hours every day. Several serious attacks on the Ukrainian capital at the beginning of the year and persistent severe frosts are exacerbating the situation for many people. The authorities have set up emergency shelters where citizens can warm up, get water or charge their cell phones.