New Delhi: Russian missile and drone attacks have left at least 600,000 people without electricity across Ukraine, hitting critical energy infrastructure in Kyiv, the surrounding region and Kharkiv despite the announcement by the US president, Donald Trump, of an energy ceasefire. Three people were killed in Kyiv during the overnight strikes on Wednesday, according to local officials, as separate restrictions on SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network disrupted Ukrainian military missions.
Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 39 ballistic and cruise missiles and 128 drones, of which four missiles and 115 drones were intercepted. The attacks damaged 26 electricity facilities and four oil and gas installations, according to the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The strikes came on the second consecutive night of missile attacks on Kyiv. Ukrainian officials said ballistic missiles had struck the capital without sufficient advance warning, in some cases before air raid sirens could sound.
Russia’s defence ministry described its bombardment as a massive operation against communications and energy infrastructure supporting Ukraine’s military. Moscow separately claimed to have intercepted 902 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions, including Moscow and Crimea. The competing military claims could not be independently verified.
Starlink restrictions affect interceptors and frontline operations
The attacks coincided with unexpected restrictions on Starlink satellite communications, which Ukrainian officials said had disrupted combat missions involving drones and other military equipment.
Serhiy Beskrestnov, an adviser to Zelenskyy, said SpaceX introduced a speed limit of approximately 160 kilometres per hour on certain Starlink terminals overnight without notifying Ukrainian forces.
A Ukrainian defence ministry source confirmed that terminals were losing connectivity when vehicles or equipment exceeded the threshold. The restrictions affected interceptor drones used against Russian aerial threats, medium-range strike drones, reconnaissance, frontline logistics and signal relaying.
Ukraine’s 7th Rapid Reaction Corps, deployed along the southeastern frontline, separately reported communication interruptions lasting 10–20 seconds at speeds of just 110–120 kilometres per hour. Several missions were cancelled because operators could not maintain reliable connections.
Starlink has become essential to Ukrainian battlefield communications since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, enabling drone guidance and military coordination in areas vulnerable to electronic warfare.
Beskrestnov suggested the restrictions were connected to the current political situation, although no independent evidence establishes that explanation. SpaceX had not publicly commented, while Ukrainian defence officials said they were investigating the cause.
The restrictions follow an earlier decision by Elon Musk’s company in February to deny Russian forces access to Starlink, which disrupted Moscow’s military operations.
Ceasefire claims questioned amid intelligence concerns
The renewed attacks have raised questions about Trump’s announcement on Sunday that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to immediately stop targeting each other’s energy infrastructure.
Zelenskyy has said Ukraine is prepared to suspend attacks on Russian oil refineries and other energy facilities if Moscow reciprocates. However, neither side has confirmed an implemented bilateral agreement with clear enforcement arrangements.
The Russian foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, opposed giving Ukraine a ceasefire respite, arguing that European countries could use the pause to supply additional weapons.
Separately, Zelenskyy said Washington had threatened to restrict intelligence sharing unless Kyiv accepted Trump’s proposed arrangement. Trump denied on Tuesday that the US was withholding intelligence.
Ukraine relies heavily on American satellite intelligence for missile tracking, early warnings and air-defence operations, making the reported warning failures particularly significant.
The developments coincided with Zelenskyy’s planned meeting with the British prime minister, Andy Burnham, in London on Wednesday to discuss accelerating air-defence supplies.
Ukrainian authorities continued assessing damage and restoring electricity as winter approached. SpaceX had not explained the reported restrictions, while negotiations over the proposed energy ceasefire remained unresolved.