Russian strike on Ukraine's Kyiv leaves 1,330 buildings still without heat, mayor says

KYIV: More than 1,300 apartment buildings in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv were still without heating following a Russian missile and drone attack earlier this week, Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko said on Sunday.

Russia has sharply intensified bombardments of Ukraine's energy system since it invaded its neighbour in 2022.

Russia launched a vast attack on Ukraine's energy system on Saturday, rocking Kyiv with explosions overnight and leaving 1.2 million properties without power nationwide during sub-zero winter temperatures.

The large-scale attack on Kyiv took place just as Ukrainian, Russian and American negotiators were discussing options in Abu Dhabi for ending the war.

"Russia’s main targets right now are our energy sector, critical infrastructure, and residential buildings," Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on X.

This week alone, he said Russia had launched more than 1,700 attack drones, over 1,380 guided aerial bombs and 69 missiles on Ukraine.

Every massive attack by Russia could have a devastating impact, said Zelenskiy, who on Sunday visited Lithuania.

"We are working with every leader to strengthen Ukraine. Everyone must clearly understand the threat coming from Russia," he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said on Saturday that more than 3,200 of Kyiv's buildings were without heating late that evening, down from 6,000 in the morning.

Klitschko said on Telegram that since Saturday evening, utility workers and energy companies have restored heat supply to about 2,000 buildings, leaving 1,330 buildings still without heating.