Russia delivers the’most powerful strike’ to Ukraine’s energy sites this year.

Russia has used a record number of ballistic missiles to target Ukraine’s energy sector, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said.

The combined missile and drone strikes hit power plants and infrastructure in Kyiv and multiple locations causing “the most powerful blow” so far this year, according to private energy company DTEK.

The strikes were launched as temperatures dropped to -20C (-4F) and left more than 1,000 tower blocks in the capital without heating once again and damaged a power plant in the eastern city of Kharkiv beyond repair.

Zelensky said Russia was “choosing terror and escalation” rather than diplomacy to end this war and called for “maximum pressure” on Moscow from Ukraine’s allies.

The attack follows the weekend expiration of a purported “energy truce” between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. According to the president of Ukraine, Russia had just taken advantage of the time to resupply missiles and get ready for the next assault.

Additionally, it occurred on the day that NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte visited Kyiv to meet with President Zelensky and give a speech to the national legislature. The goal of Donald Trump’s endeavor was to try diplomacy. Later this week, Russian and Ukrainian negotiators are scheduled to convene in Abu Dhabi for a second round of negotiations facilitated by the United States.

Residents spent the night sheltering in metro stations, with some pitching tents on the platforms to protect them from the freezing cold.President Zelensky has said more than 70 ballistic and cruise missiles were fired – significantly more than usual – together with 450 drones which are used to overwhelm Ukraine’s air defences.

Ukraine’s Air Force said it had intercepted only 38 of the missiles, which means many reached their target. Officials here have complained repeatedly of a shortage of missiles to protect the skies. Ukraine relies on US-made Patriot missiles, in particular.

In order to shield themselves from the bitter cold, some residents set up tents on the platforms of metro stations where they spent the night. According to President Zelensky, 450 drones and more than 70 ballistic and cruise missiles—much more than usual—were fired in an attempt to overwhelm Ukraine’s air defenses.

Only 38 of the missiles were intercepted by the Ukrainian Air Force, indicating that many of them made it to their intended target. The lack of missiles to defend the skies has been a constant source of complaints from local officials. In particular, Ukraine depends on Patriot missiles manufactured in the United States.