Russian forces launched air strikes on the night of Saturday-Sunday on the Ukrainian city of Kremenchug, causing electricity and water outages, according to statements by a local official. It is noteworthy that this area has previously been repeatedly subjected to Russian missile bombardment, including a raid on a crowded shopping center in 2022, which resulted in many deaths. For its part, the Russian Ministry of Defense said on Sunday that its air defense units destroyed 77 drones launched by Ukraine during the same night.

Published on: 07/12/2025 - 15:25

Vitaly Malitsky, the mayor of Kremenchuk, confirmed that his city, located in central Ukraine, was subjected to an air strike during the night, while the Russian Ministry of Defense said on Sunday that it shot down 77 drones launched by Ukraine at night.

Located on the Dnipro River, Kremenchuk is a major industrial center and home to one of the largest oil refineries in Ukraine. It has repeatedly come under Russian missile strikes, including a 2022 raid on a crowded shopping center that killed at least 21 people.

Malitsky indicated in a post on social media that details of the repercussions of the strike will be published later on Sunday after the damage assessment is completed. He added that city services are working to restore electricity, water and heating in areas where supplies were disrupted.

It is noteworthy that Russia intensified its long-range strikes on the electricity, heating, and water infrastructure in Ukraine before the onset of winter, in an effort to drain public morale and disrupt the industry after the previous cold seasons in the war that has been ongoing for about four years witnessed power outages throughout the country and the application of periodic power cuts.

Reuters could not independently verify Malitsky's report.

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The Ukrainian Air Force had warned several times during the night, through its messages on the Telegram application, that the city was under threat from aircraft attacks.

77 Ukrainian marches destroyed

For its part, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced on Sunday that air defense units destroyed 77 drones launched by Ukraine overnight, at a time when the two sides continue to exchange air attacks in the war that has been going on for almost four years.

The ministry indicated in a statement on the Telegram application that air defenses shot down the drones over seven regions in southern and central Russia and the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed.

Yuri Slyusar, the governor of the Rostov region, confirmed on Telegram that an electricity transmission tower was damaged in the region bordering Ukraine, about a thousand kilometers south of Moscow, causing a power outage for 250 residents, but he indicated that the matter did not result in injuries.

The Ministry of Defense reported that 42 drones were destroyed over the Saratov region in southwestern Russia, and 12 drones were destroyed over Rostov.

Russian authorities rarely reveal the extent of damage caused by Ukrainian air attacks and almost never confirm that any military infrastructure has been targeted.

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The war has increasingly witnessed long-range attacks using drones and missiles far from the direct confrontation lines, at a time when both sides seek to target the other party’s military, logistical, and energy assets.

Moscow launched missile and drone attacks on the Ukrainian electricity grid during previous winters and before winter this year, causing power outages and pressure on repair and maintenance teams as the weather began to cool.

Kiev has escalated drone attacks on oil depots, airports and other targets inside Russia, which it says represent a legitimate response to Moscow's campaign on Ukrainian cities and energy systems.

France 24/AFP/Reuters

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