Russia strikes Ukraine's energy grid with North Korean missiles ahead of Abu Dhabi talks

Russian forces conducted a major overnight attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure on November 6–7, deploying 36 ballistic missiles and 172 drones across Kyiv and 12 other regions. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 149 drones and four missiles, allowing 32 ballistic missiles to reach their targets. The strikes caused widespread damage to critical infrastructure, including substations connecting nuclear power plants to Kyiv, residential buildings, the city's Northern Bridge, and a kindergarten. Power, heating, and water supplies were severely disrupted across affected areas as temperatures dropped and winter snow fell in parts of Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia used North Korean-manufactured KN-23 ballistic missiles in the attack, citing preliminary forensic findings at strike sites. He reported nine people wounded, including a child, with one fatality in the Kyiv region. Zelenskyy linked the strikes to deliberate pressure tactics ahead of trilateral peace talks scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday in Abu Dhabi, where Russian, Ukrainian, and U.S. negotiators are set to meet. "Russia perceives diplomacy in its own peculiar way – as a form of aggression," Zelenskyy wrote, urging increased U.S. support and stronger sanctions on Russia.

Ukraine's Energy Ministry confirmed that the attacks damaged networks transmitting electricity from the Rivne and Khmelnytskyi nuclear power plants to Kyiv and central Ukraine, as well as substations in Vinnytsia, Zhytomyr, Rivne, Kharkiv, and Dnipro regions. Power cuts were most widespread in Kyiv and Zhytomyr regions. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that the city's water supply system was stabilized by Saturday evening, though around 60% of apartment buildings remained connected to the heating system.

Russia's Ministry of Defense confirmed targeting the Northern Bridge, stating it was used to transport weaponry and military equipment for Ukrainian forces. The ministry also said it struck an industrial facility producing Flamingo missiles and other energy infrastructure. The attacks marked an intensification of Russia's winter campaign against Ukraine's power grid, following earlier strikes on November 3 that caused widespread blackouts.

The strikes came days after U.S. First Lady Melania Trump hosted Russian and Ukrainian delegations at the White House on Thursday, where she called for a "more enduring" ceasefire following a recent six-day truce in the Kherson region. Western governments backing the peace initiative acknowledge that territorial and security questions remain unresolved, with Ukrainian officials expressing skepticism about proposed frameworks for negotiations.