KYIV — Russia launched a large-scale overnight barrage of drones and missiles against Ukraine's energy grid on Wednesday, triggering emergency blackouts across Kyiv and several eastern regions, the Ukrainian Air Force said.

The assault followed a pattern of intensifying attacks on power infrastructure as cold weather approaches. Ukrainian government officials have described this as a deliberate campaign to cripple heating and electricity before winter. Ukraine's energy operator Ukrenergo announced rolling restrictions on supply in multiple regions.

President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strikes and renewed appeals to Western partners for additional air defence systems, including Patriot interceptors. He said Russian forces had again targeted civilian energy facilities rather than military objectives, according to a statement from his office.

The attacks came as diplomatic efforts led by Washington to broker an energy ceasefire have faltered, with both sides accusing each other of violations. European leaders have warned that sustained damage to Ukraine's grid could displace civilians and increase pressure on neighbouring countries during the coldest months.

Ukrainian air defences intercepted a majority of the incoming drones, the Air Force reported, though falling debris and direct hits caused damage in the Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions. Local officials said repair crews were deployed at first light to restore power to affected households.