Ukraine's energy sector again target of overnight Russian strikes

At least two people were killed on Sunday in a Russian drone attack on the Odesa region in southwestern Ukraine. Local authorities said five trucks caught fire in the strike. Regional Governor Oleh Kiper said that three others were wounded.

In total, Russia launched 79 drones and two Iskander-M ballistic missiles at Ukraine overnight into Sunday, according to Ukraine's Air Force, 67 of which were shot down or intercepted.

Ukraine's energy infrastructure under attack

Meanwhile, Russia also launched a drone and missile attack overnight at the Zaporizhzhia region, wounding two people and leaving 60,000 people without power. Ukraine's national energy operator Ukrenergo said several regions faced power cuts on Sunday.

It's the latest strike as part of Russia's sustained campaign against Ukraine's energy infrastructure ahead of the winter.

Ukrainian cities use centralized public infrastructure to run water, sewage and heating systems, and blackouts stop them from working.

The attacks aim to undermine Ukrainian morale, as well as disrupt weapon production and other war-related activities.

Recently, Russia's attacks have become more effective. Moscowhas launched hundreds of drones, some equipped with cameras that improve targeting and overwhelm air defence systems, particularly in regions where protection is weaker.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also reported strikes in the Dnipro, Kharkiv and Chernihiv regions.

"Nearly 1,500 attack drones, 1,170 guided aerial bombs, and more than 70 missiles of different types were used by the Russians to attack life in Ukraine just this week alone," he wrote on X.

"There were hits on ordinary residential buildings and civilian infrastructure, as well as numerous terrorist attacks targeting the energy sector."

Tuapse port fire

Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces attacked Russia’s Tuapse port on Sunday night. A Ukrainian intelligence official told the Associated Press that the attack struck an oil tanker, loading infrastructure and port buildings.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official said five drone strikes were recorded in the operation carried out by special forces of Ukraine’s Security Service and other defense forces.

According to Russian authorities, "two foreign civilian ships" were damaged.

The port is home to a major oil export terminal and refinery owned by Russian oil company Rosneft, and has already been attacked several times this year by Ukraine.

In recent months, Ukraine bolstered its campaign against Russian refineries, warehouses and pipelines to limit fuel supplies and disrupt military logistics.