Kyiv, Oct 16 (AP) – Russia has launched a significant assault on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, deploying hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles in the latest attack on the nation's power grid, authorities reported Thursday. This comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House to request additional American-made air defenses and long-range missiles. Power outages were reported in eight Ukrainian regions following the attack, according to Ukrenergo, the national energy operator. DTEK, Ukraine's largest private energy company, confirmed blackouts in Kyiv and had to halt natural gas extraction in the central Poltava region due to the strikes. Zelenskyy stated that Russia launched over 300 drones and 37 missiles overnight, accusing them of using cluster munitions and deliberately targeting sites multiple times to hinder emergency crews and repair engineers. "This fall, the Russians are using every single day to strike our energy infrastructure," Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram. The Ukrainian power grid has been a primary target since Russia's invasion over three years ago, with attacks intensifying as winter approaches. Ukrainian officials accuse Russia of "weaponizing winter" by targeting essential infrastructure, although Russia insists it only targets military objectives. Ukraine's forces have managed to resist Russia's larger, better-equipped army, resulting in a drawn-out war along a 1,000-km front line stretching across eastern and southern regions. However, defending the entire country from air attacks remains challenging, prompting Kyiv to seek increased Western support. Zelenskyy is anticipated to arrive in the United States on Thursday for a Friday meeting with Trump in the Oval Office. Ukraine aims to secure cruise missiles, air defense systems, and joint drone manufacturing agreements from the United States, according to Kyiv officials. Additionally, Zelenskyy plans to advocate for tougher international economic sanctions against Moscow. The visit occurs as Trump appears inclined to increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to break the deadlock in US-led peace efforts. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated Wednesday in Brussels that if Russia refuses to negotiate a peace deal, the US will "impose costs on Russia for its continued aggression." The US has been cautious about supplying Ukraine with long-range missiles, like Tomahawks, due to concerns about escalating the conflict and straining US-Russia relations further. Trump, however, has grown impatient with his inability to resolve the war in Ukraine and increasingly views Putin as the main obstacle to peace. (AP)
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