Russian missile and drone strikes on Ukraine have resulted in the deaths of six individuals, including two children, and triggered nationwide power outages. The latest attacks coincide with the cancellation of a planned summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, following Moscow’s rejection of calls for an immediate ceasefire.
Kyiv’s military administration reported that debris from downed missiles caused fires across half of the capital’s districts. Timur Tkachenko, head of the military administration, shared details via the Telegram messaging app. He stated, “All night the enemy struck the country’s energy infrastructure,” highlighting the ongoing threat to vital services in Ukraine.
In response to the ongoing violence, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, emphasized the need for stronger international action against Russia. In a Telegram post, Yermak noted, “Ukraine long ago agreed to the US proposal for a ceasefire, while Moscow is doing everything to keep the killing going.” He called for collective action to pressure Putin to halt the attacks on civilians.
The strikes on March 5, 2024, claimed two lives in Kyiv and four others in the surrounding regions, according to Ukraine’s emergency service. Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that ten individuals were rescued from a high-rise fire in the Dniprovskyi district, with some receiving hospital treatment. Fires also broke out in the Desnianskyi, Darnytskyi, and Pecherskyi districts, the latter being home to the historic Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery.
Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk reported that the attacks persisted throughout the night, affecting energy infrastructure. The Ministry of Energy indicated that emergency power outages were implemented across most regions of Ukraine, including Kyiv and its surroundings. In the Myrhorod district of Poltava, oil and gas facilities sustained damage due to the strikes.
In the frontline southeastern region of Zaporizhzhia, ongoing attacks have resulted in injuries to at least 13 people, according to regional governor Ivan Fedorov. The Russian military has consistently targeted Ukraine’s energy facilities since the full-scale invasion began in 2022, asserting that these are legitimate military targets.
The situation escalated further when the White House announced the postponement of the summit between Trump and Putin, following Moscow’s refusal to commit to a ceasefire. A senior US official indicated to Reuters that there are currently no plans for the meeting to take place in the near future.
As the conflict continues, Zelenskiy is scheduled to visit Sweden on March 6, 2024, to meet with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. The visit aims to strengthen ties and discuss support for Ukraine, although specific details regarding the meeting’s agenda remain undisclosed.
The recent violence has left hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians without power and many without access to water, as attacks on critical infrastructure intensify ahead of the winter months. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, as calls for a ceasefire and increased diplomatic efforts grow louder.
