Kyiv Suffers Power Outages Despite Dozens Of Thwarted Russian Attacks

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on January 2 that a Russian attack on Ukraine's capital overnight involved dozens of exploding drones "headed for Kyiv" and damaged energy infrastructure causing "emergency power outages" and loss of heating in some areas.

The attacks are a continuation in a series of major Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure that ramped up on New Year's Eve and have caused dozens of casualties in the 10-month-old invasion.

Klitschko said a 19-year-old man was injured by a blast in the Desnyan district of the capital.

Ukraine's military said early on January 2 that Russian forces launched 44 drone attacks against Ukrainian targets but that all of them were successfully shot down.

The Kyiv City Military Administration had said at least 20 overnight missiles or drones were shot down.

Klitschko acknowledged later that "there are emergency power outages in the city" and resulting losses of power at heating-distribution facilities.

He said water services were not seriously affected.

Klitschko added that a 46-year-old man hospitalized after a January 31 attack had since died in hospital.

There were bombardments in other population centers overnight on January 1-2, including in the southeastern city of Kherson where Ukrainian officials claimed Russian forces had apparently targeted a children's hospital.

RFE/RL can't independently confirm battlefield claims.

The bombardment, reportedly with dozens of Iranian-made Shahed drones, followed a day of heavy missile and drone attacks on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

In a combative New Year's address, Russian President Vladimir Putin signaled that the war, now in its 11th month, will continue, a speech that contrasted with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's messages of gratitude and unity.