Ukraine has requested emergency assistance from Poland after a large-scale Russian attack on the country’s energy infrastructure. The attack triggered widespread power outages across the country, according to Ukraine’s grid operator. Officials said the strikes deliberately targeted power facilities, leaving hundreds of thousands without electricity or heating during freezing temperatures. Damage was reported at major power plants in western Ukraine.
Ukrenergo said emergency blackouts were imposed in most regions as the attack continued, with repairs to begin once security conditions permit. In response to the strikes, Poland temporarily suspended operations at two airports near the Ukrainian border, including Rzeszów, a key NATO logistics hub.
The escalation comes amid ongoing U.S.-mediated talks between Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi, which have resulted in a large prisoner exchange but little progress on territorial disputes. Meanwhile, Moscow accused Ukraine of being behind a shooting that wounded a senior Russian military intelligence official in Moscow, an allegation Kyiv has not addressed.
