Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Sunday vowed to launch fresh strikes deep inside Russia in response to drone attacks that targeted power facilities in northern and southern Ukraine overnight, cutting electricity to nearly 60,000 homes and buildings.

 

The war, now in its third and a half year, has seen both Russia and Ukraine intensify airstrikes in recent weeks. While Moscow has focused on Ukraine’s energy and transport systems, Kyiv has been striking Russian oil refineries and pipelines.

 

“We will continue our active operations in the exact way needed to defend Ukraine. The forces and resources are prepared. New deep strikes have also been planned,” Zelenskiy wrote on X following a meeting with Ukraine’s army chief, General Oleksandr Syrsky. He did not provide further details about the plans.

 

Ukraine’s largest private energy company, DTEK, reported that Russian drones hit four energy facilities in the Odesa region during the night. Local officials said around 29,000 people were left without electricity early Sunday.

 

The hardest hit was the port city of Chornomorsk, near Odesa, where homes and administrative buildings were also damaged, according to regional governor Oleh Kiper. “Critical infrastructure is operating on generators,” he said on Telegram, adding that one person was injured.

 

DTEK stated that emergency repairs would begin once the military allowed access.

 

Meanwhile, a civilian bulk carrier flying the Belize flag sustained minor damage after striking an unidentified explosive device in waters near Chornomorsk, two sources told Reuters. The port is one of three Ukrainian hubs operating in the Black Sea maritime corridor linking to the Mediterranean.