LONDON — Russian drones struck a thermal power generation facility in the Kyiv region overnight, according to Ukraine's Energy Ministry. This attack is part of a series of long-range strikes by Moscow, despite U.S. President Donald Trump's expressed frustration over the situation.

The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia launched 142 drones into the country during the night, with approximately 100 being Shahed strike drones and the remainder serving as decoys. Defenders managed to shoot down or suppress 112 of these drones. However, 26 drones successfully hit seven locations, with debris also falling in another area.

"One of the thermal generation facilities in the Kyiv region has come under massive shelling," the Energy Ministry stated. It emphasized that the aim of such attacks is clear: to create further hardships for the civilian population by disrupting electricity and heat supplies to homes, hospitals, kindergartens, and schools. Following the attack, reports indicated blackouts in parts of Kyiv.

The ministry reiterated that energy infrastructure is not a military target, stating, "Generation facilities, electricity transmission and distribution systems, gas infrastructure are not military targets." Rescuers and energy workers are currently addressing the aftermath of the shelling, with efforts underway to stabilize the situation.

Since the onset of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, Russia has frequently targeted Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Historically, such attacks have intensified as winter approaches. This latest assault followed Russia's largest bombardment of the war, which occurred overnight on Saturday. During that attack, Moscow launched 810 drones and 13 missiles, with Ukrainian forces successfully intercepting 747 drones and four missiles. However, nine missiles and 54 drones struck 33 locations, resulting in at least nine fatalities across Ukraine.

In response to the ongoing violence, Trump commented, "I am not happy about the whole situation. It doesn't affect us because it's not our soldiers. But they're losing — I used to tell you 5,000 — they're losing 7,000, between Ukraine and Russia, 7,000 soldiers every single week. It's such a horrible waste of humanity."

He also mentioned that European leaders would visit the White House for discussions, stating, "We have some very interesting discussions. Europe — certain European leaders are coming over to our country on Monday or Tuesday, individually, and I think we're gonna get that settled."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for a stronger U.S. response to the attacks, urging the implementation of previously agreed-upon sanctions. "It has been repeatedly stated in Washington that there will be sanctions for refusal to talk. We must implement everything agreed upon in Paris," he said, referring to recent meetings with European leaders and virtual talks with Trump.