• Russia intensified strikes on Ukraine’s power grid as winter approaches.
• U.S. consideration of Tomahawk missile supply raises concerns in Moscow.
• Ukrainian President Zelensky calls for stronger sanctions on Russian oil buyers.
• Recent attacks resulted in injuries and significant damage to energy infrastructure.
• Ukraine’s air defense systems intercepted many incoming Russian drones.

Russia has significantly ramped up its attacks on Ukraine's power grid, targeting energy infrastructure as part of its ongoing campaign to cripple the nation's resources before winter. This comes amid rising tensions concerning the United States potentially supplying Kyiv with Tomahawk cruise missiles, a topic of "extreme concern" for Moscow. Governor Mykola Kalashnyk of Kyiv reported that two employees of the private energy company, DTEK, sustained injuries from recent strikes on a substation, with additional attacks confirmed in Donetsk, Odesa, and Chernihiv regions, according to SCMP, India Times, and Los Angeles Times.

President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned these assaults as "aerial terror," noting that over the past week, Russian forces launched more than 3,100 drones, 92 missiles, and around 1,360 glide bombs against Ukraine. He emphasized the need for heightened Western sanctions against countries purchasing Russian oil, stating, "Sanctions, tariffs, and joint actions against the buyers of Russian oil – those who finance this war – must all remain on the table," as reported by SCMP and India Times.

Zelensky's recent phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump has been described as "very positive and productive," with discussions focusing on bolstering Ukraine's air defenses and potentially enhancing long-range strike capabilities, including the coveted Tomahawks. Trump hinted that he has “sort of made a decision” concerning the missile supply, though specifics were not disclosed. A delegation from Ukraine is expected to visit Washington for further discussions, as noted by SCMP, India Times, and Los Angeles Times.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov echoed a sentiment of urgency, stating that the Tomahawk missile issue is of "extreme concern," and remarked, "Now is really a very dramatic moment as tensions are escalating from all sides." Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko downplayed the likelihood of the U.S. supplying Tomahawks, suggesting a need to avoid premature assumptions about Washington's intentions. This commentary aligns with the Kremlin's increasing worries about the evolving military landscape, according to SCMP, India Times, and Los Angeles Times.

In recent strikes, Russian drones and missiles have wounded at least 20 individuals in Kyiv while causing extensive blackouts and damage to residential buildings. Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko characterized these attacks as "one of the largest concentrated strikes" against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, reflecting an ongoing strategy to undermine public morale in the harsh winter months. Each winter, the targeting of energy resources becomes a focal point for Russian military actions aimed at inflicting hardship on Ukraine's populace, as detailed by SCMP, India Times, and Los Angeles Times.