Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure left at least 600,000 people without electricity on October 14, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The overnight bombardment targeted Kyiv, Kharkiv and surrounding areas, damaging approximately 30 energy facilities. Ukrainian authorities reported three deaths in Kyiv, while emergency crews worked to restore electricity and respond to damaged residential buildings.

Ukraine's military said Russia launched 39 missiles alongside a large wave of drones. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted only four of the missiles, highlighting the continuing challenge posed by advanced Russian weapons and shortages of defensive equipment.

Russia's Defense Ministry acknowledged strikes against power facilities in the Kyiv and Kharkiv regions, describing the targets as connected to Ukraine's military operations.

The attacks followed President Donald Trump's announcement that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to stop targeting energy infrastructure. Neither Moscow nor Kyiv had formally confirmed such an agreement.

The new bombardment has raised questions about the prospects for negotiations and Ukraine's ability to protect critical civilian services as temperatures begin to fall.

Why it matters: Repeated attacks on electricity generation and distribution facilities threaten more than the power supply. Hospitals, transport networks, water systems and heating services all depend on reliable electricity. Continued disruption before winter could deepen Ukraine's humanitarian crisis and increase pressure on its already strained air-defense network.