Kremlin tries to freeze Ukraine to death

Kremlin tries to freeze Ukraine to death Russian President Vladimir Putin orders a second major drone and missile onslaught on Ukraine in four days in cruel bid to weaponise winter and kill of Ukrainians in the big freeze Russia has unleashed a second countrywide drone and missile bombardment on Ukraine in four days. The brutal overnight onslaught of 300 drones, 18 missiles and seven cruise missiles hit eight regions overnight, killing at least four in Kharkiv . It was a major blow to efforts to end the war as it approaches its four year anniversary. And it was aimed at freezing Ukrainians to death as bitter temperatures reached minus 16 in parts of the capital Kyiv. Most of the weapons were aimed at heating systems, energy hubs and electricity substations. Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky stormed: “Where Russia tries to destroy, Ukrainians support each other. Internal resilience is now crucial. Putin fires nuclear-capable hypersonic missile close to Ukraine's NATO border READ MORE: Update on Russian shadow fleet after 'zombie' ship spotted - 'we're watching you' “Each strike against life reminds the world that support for Ukraine cannot stop. The cold will not help Russia win. Air defence systems are needed every day, especially in winter.” One strike in the Kharkiv region killed four people at a mail depot, and several hundred thousand households were without power in Kyiv. Kyiv has grappled with severe power shortages for days but the strikes caused the biggest electrical outage the city has faced so far. Olena Davydova, 30, charged her phone at what is called a "Point of Invincibility" shelter in Kyiv's Dniprovskyi district. The government-built temporary installations, often large tents on the sidewalk, provide food, drinks, warmth and electricity. She had been without power for nearly 50 hours. She said: "I still have enough patience. I'm not reacting to this in a very emotional way.” Four days earlier, Russia also sent hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles in a large-scale overnight attack using a powerful new hypersonic missile that struck western Ukraine. On Monday, the U.S. accused Russia of a " dangerous and inexplicable escalation " of the fighting at a time when the Trump administration is trying to advance peace negotiations. Russia has sought to deny Ukrainian civilians heat and running water over the course of the war, hoping to wear down public resistance to Moscow's full-scale invasion. The Kharkiv attack wounded ten people, local authorities said. In the southern city of Odesa, six more people were wounded in the attack. It happened after Russia rejected latest Us peace proposals. Last year was the deadliest for civilians in Ukraine since 2022 as Russia intensified its aerial barrages behind the front line, according to the U.N. The war killed 2,514 civilians and injured 12,142 in Ukraine - 31% higher than in 2024, it said. Zelenskyy said Ukraine is counting on quicker deliveries of agreed upon air defense systems from the U.S. and Europe, as well as new pledges of aid to counter Russia's...

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