By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
KYIV/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – In a move that worries neighboring countries, Russia launched a massive air strike against western Ukraine on Friday in what Kyiv called “one of the largest attacks” on its power infrastructure since the war erupted in February 2022.
Moscow’s military fired almost 200 drones and more than 90 missiles, including at least one made by North Korea, 81 of which were intercepted, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on social media.
The strikes forced Ukraine to reduce output at five of its nine nuclear reactors, the International Atomic Energy Agency said.
According to Ukraine’s air force, hypersonic Kinzhal missiles were used in the attacks on the western regions of Ternopil, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Zakarpattia.
The targets included thermal power plants of private energy group DTEK, with some equipment “significantly damaged,” the company said.
A person familiar with the matter told Bloomberg on condition of anonymity that four of the company’s thermal plants were damaged, and their condition is extremely fragile.
Worthy News monitored the attacks, which prompted nearby Poland to scramble fighter jets. Earlier, Hungary increased defense systems along its borders with Ukraine. Poland and Hungary are both members of the NATO military alliance.
LATEST STRIKES
Ahead of the latest Russian strikes, Hungary’s Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said that “the Russian-Ukrainian war has entered its most dangerous phase yet.”
However, the Russian Defense Ministry said Friday that the strikes were in response to Kyiv using six US-made
ATACMS long-range missiles will hit a military airfield in Russia’s Rostov region on Wednesday.
Critics countered that Moscow’s forces have been attacking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure since the autumn of 2022, well before Ukraine received long-range missiles from the U.S.
The latest assault came as temperatures plunged across Ukraine, with -1O Celsius (14 Fahrenheit) expected in Kyiv, the capital.
“Hypersonic Kinzhal missiles were used” in strikes that focused on the western regions of Ternopil, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Zakarpattia, according to Ukraine’s air force.
“The targets included thermal power plants of private energy group DTEK, with some equipment significantly damaged,” the company said. “Four of the firm’s company’s thermal plants were damaged, and their condition is extremely fragile,” added an official on conditions of anonymity.
Hungary, which currently holds the rotating European Union presidency, still hopes to help reach a Christmas truce in Ukraine, officials said. Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk seeks to relaunch peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv as his nation will take over the EU presidency.
Copyright 1999-2025 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
Latest News from Worthy News
Tensions remained high Friday in Pakistan’s Punjab Province after local police detained a mentally challenged Christian on charges of blasphemy against Islam, Christians told Worthy News.
Sweden says it has detained five people over the killing of an Iraqi refugee who sparked outrage among Muslims by burning the Koran in protest in Sweden in 2023.
President Donald Trump confirmed that he will impose 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico starting Saturday, citing large trade deficits and the flow of fentanyl as key reasons. He also mentioned that he is still considering whether to include oil from these countries in the tariffs.
President Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday to combat antisemitism, instructing the Department of Justice to take “immediate action” to deport foreign national college students and resident aliens involved in pro-Hamas protests following the terrorist group’s massacre of 1,200 Israelis and the kidnapping of over 250 hostages.
A new study shows there has been a surge in attacks on Christians in Nicaragua over the last two years, with Nicaraguan dictator President Daniel Ortega now specifically targeting evangelical bodies as well as Catholic communities, Christian Daily International (CDI) reports.
Israel released 110 Palestinian prisoners Thursday after Hamas fighters freed seven hostages – two Israelis and five Thais.
Missionaries and local Christians in Mozambique are being targeted by Islamic terror groups amid ongoing political protests and upheaval over October’s highly disputed general election results, Mission Network News (MNN) reports.