Russia has launched a new wave of strikes across eastern Ukraine intensifying fighting as the war enters another critical phase. Ukrainian officials say missiles and drones targeted infrastructure and residential areas overnight triggering explosions in multiple regions. The attacks caused widespread power outages leaving thousands of civilians without electricity in freezing winter conditions. Emergency crews are racing to restore power as damage assessments continue while air-raid sirens sounded repeatedly through the night. Kyiv says Russia is deliberately targeting energy networks to weaken civilian morale and strain Ukraine’s defenses. Moscow has not commented directly on the strikes but maintains it is hitting what it calls military-linked targets. The escalation comes as diplomatic pressure builds ahead of renewed peace discussions. Western governments are urging restraint warning that continued attacks on civilian infrastructure could further isolate Russia internationally. At the same time Ukraine is calling for increased air-defense support saying existing systems are stretched thin against sustained missile and drone barrages. Analysts say the latest strikes signal Moscow’s intent to strengthen its negotiating position through military pressure even as diplomatic channels remain open. With fighting intensifying on the ground and talks looming the coming days could prove decisive either opening a narrow path toward de-escalation or pushing the conflict into a more dangerous phase. #Russia #Ukraine #Moscow #Military #Kyiv
