Air Strikes Target Regions Across Ukraine: Unfolding Developments

Russia launched another wave of overnight airstrikes on Ukraine, targeting the central city of Kremenchuk with dozens of drones and hypersonic missiles. The attack left residents without power and heating, marking the latest escalation in Russia's campaign against Ukrainian infrastructure.

Ukrainian Air Force reports say Kremenchuk, located in the Poltava region of central Ukraine, bore the brunt of the assault. Residents reported hearing multiple explosions throughout the night as the strikes hit the city.

The power outages come as winter temperatures grip Ukraine, making heating cuts particularly harsh for civilians. Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraine's energy grid since October 2022, a strategy that international observers say aims to break civilian morale and cripple the country's ability to function.

Official casualty figures and damage assessments weren't immediately available. The reports couldn't be independently verified, which is common in active conflict zones where information moves quickly but confirmation takes time.

Kremenchuk has faced Russian attacks before. The industrial city sits along the Dnipro River and serves as an important regional center. Previous strikes there have hit civilian infrastructure and industrial facilities.

The use of hypersonic missiles signals Russia's continued deployment of its most advanced weapons in the conflict. These missiles travel at speeds exceeding five times the speed of sound and are extremely difficult to intercept with current air defense systems.