Russia hits Kyiv with air strikes targeting energy facilities ahead of talks

Russian forces launched overnight air strikes on Kyiv and surrounding areas, hitting key infrastructure including the Northern Bridge and energy facilities, DW English reported.

Russia's Defense Ministry stated the strikes targeted the bridge used by Ukrainian military for transporting weapons and the Meridian Plant, which produces Flamingo cruise missiles, according to DW English.

The attacks also damaged energy and industrial sites in the Kyiv region, an electricity substation in the neighboring Zhytomyr region, and a cargo vessel in the Black Sea, DW English added.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed the Northern Bridge strikes and described the city’s situation as extremely difficult concerning power, heating, and water supplies amid near-freezing temperatures, DW English reported.

Ukrainian authorities said one person was killed and eight were wounded in the attacks, according to DW English, while France 24 reported at least five people were injured. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of attempting to push Ukraine into a blackout using 172 drones and 36 ballistic missiles, according to DW English.

France 24 English noted that the strikes came ahead of a scheduled trilateral meeting between Russia, Ukraine, and the US in Abu Dhabi aimed at negotiating an end to the war.