Extract from ABC News
Ukraine says it used various systems to intercept the missiles and drones. (Reuters: Gleb Garanich)
In short:
Russia has fired 93 missiles and 200 drones at targets inside Ukraine, focusing on the country's energy grid.
Ukraine says it intercepted a number of the missiles using air defence systems and fighter jets.
The Kremlin says the strikes are in retaliation after Ukraine fired US-made ATACMS missiles at an air base in Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of seeking to "terrorise millions of people" after it launched one of the biggest missile and drone strikes since the war began.
Russia's military fired at least 93 cruise and ballistic missiles and almost 200 drones on Thursday night and Friday morning.
The strikes, aimed at Ukraine's energy grid, caused damage at multiple power plants and prolonged black outs for some residents.
The Russian defence ministry said the long-range precision missiles and drones were aimed at "critically important fuel and energy facilities in Ukraine".
Russia has frequently targeted Ukraine's power grid, and Friday's strikes came as temperatures fell to as low as -6 degrees Celsius.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country's forces had shot down 81 missiles, including 11 cruise missiles that were intercepted by fighter jets provided by Western allies earlier this year.
"A strong reaction from the world is needed: a massive strike – a massive reaction," he said on X.
"Chatter will not stop Putin – we need force that will lead to peace."
Officials said they had imposed additional power cuts due to the attack.
In the region outside Kyiv, the power cuts were scheduled to last for 11 hours, up from eight hours before the attack.
Power was out for many Ukrainians for up to 11 hours on Friday, as winter conditions took hold. (Reuters: Thomas Peter)
Attack comes after Ukraine missile strike in Russia
The Kremlin had previously warned it would retaliate after Ukraine's military used ATACMS missiles on a Russian airfield.
"In response to the use of American long-range weapons, a massive strike was carried out by the Russian armed forces... against critical facilities of Ukraine's fuel and energy infrastructure," Russia's defence ministry said in a post on Telegram.
Moscow has repeatedly raged against Western arms supplied to Ukraine and said the use of Western weapons makes NATO countries direct participants in the nearly three-year conflict.
Russia's conflict with Ukraine has escalated in recent months, after the US and allies gave Ukraine the green light to use their weapons on targets inside Russia.
Russian president Vladimir Putin later announced his military had used a new type of intermediate range hypersonic missile on Ukraine, sparking alarm from Ukraine and the West.
Russia has been making steady gains in eastern Ukraine in recent months.
On Friday, Russian news agencies reported that its forces had seized more than 300 square kilometres across Ukraine in just the last month, capturing seven settlements in the process.
AP/AFP/Reuters
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