Russia launches a strike on power grid

Russia launched a second major drone and missile bombardment of Ukraine in four days, officials said Tuesday, aiming again at the power grid amid freezing temperatures in an apparent snub to U.S.-led peace efforts as Moscow's invasion of its neighbor approaches the four-year mark.

- By Inia Novikov

EMERGENCY services personnel work to extinguish a fire in Kyiv, Ukraine.

(Ukrainian Emergency Service)

Russia fired almost 300 drones, 18 ballistic missiles and seven cruise missiles at eight regions overnight, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on social media.

One strike in the northeastern Kharkiv region killed four people at a mail depot, and several hundred thousand households were without power in the Kyiv region, Zelensky said.

The daytime temperature in Kyiv, which has endured freezing temperatures for more than two weeks, was about 10 degrees, with streets covered in ice and the rumble of generators heard throughout the capital.

Kyiv has grappled with severe power shortages for days, although Mayor Vitali Klitschko said Monday night’s strikes caused the biggest electrical outage the city has faced so far.

Kyiv residents huddle for warmth

More than 500 residential buildings remained without central heating Tuesday. Throughout the city, bare trees were weighed down with icicles and snow was piled up next to sidewalks.

Friends and relatives gathered in those apartments that have power or hot water, at least temporarily, to charge their phones, take hot showers or share a warm drink.