Russia launched new attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure using ballistic missiles and jet-powered drones, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday (October 19, 2026), adding that Kyiv again received no early warning of the attack from partner countries that previously shared that intelligence.
Mr. Zelenskyy is grappling with recent Washington moves benefiting Russian President Vladimir Putin, including waiving U.S. sanctions on Moscow and signing a deal to import diesel from Moscow.
Another Russian ballistic missile attack came in several waves overnight, and once again, there was no early warning from our partners. They again targeted energy facilities and infrastructure, but a medical clinic, a school, a metro station, and ordinary residential buildings were also damaged. Sadly, there are casualties. My condolences to their families and loved ones. Those who were injured are receiving assistance. Overnight and this morning, Russia attacked energy facilities in the Vinnytsia, Volyn, Kirovohrad, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Zhytomyr, Khmelnytskyi, Kharkiv, Ternopil, Odesa, and Rivne regions. Repair crews are working at the sites. Ukraine never wanted this war, and we have welcomed literally EVERY attempt by our partners to bring this war to a dignified end. We have responded positively to EVERY ceasefire proposal. Putin not only doesn’t want to end this war – he doesn’t even want to take any steps toward de-escalation. EVERY ONE of our partners has experienced this firsthand when they heard Russia’s refusals. And it is crucial to call things what they are. To call the aggressor an aggressor and help Ukraine defend lives. When deliveries of missiles for Ukraine’s air defense are blocked while Russia is granted relief or delays in sanctions, this is, unfortunately, a denial of reality on the part of our partners. I thank everyone who recognizes this reality and helps Ukraine! Zelenskyy. Also, a severe shortage of American-made Patriot air defence systems has made Ukraine more vulnerable. U.S.
In total, the Russians launched 16 ballistic missiles in a deliberate attack on Kyiv and the Kyiv region. In this one night alone, more than 10 energy infrastructure facilities were damaged, and the lights went out for at least 550,000 families. Secretary of State Marco Rubio repeated that position on Monday (October 19), saying he had no information about the previous night’s Russian attack. Lithuania is raising alert levels at more than 15 strategic infrastructure sites after an arson attempt Sunday at a Starlink base station in Vilnius, Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevicius said on Monday (October 19).
Because of Russian strikes and Russia’s desire to drag this war out, the reality is that the war continues, and it continues solely.
The Russians also launched more than 200 drones of various types, including jet-powered “shaheds,” with attacks spanning from the Kharkiv and Dnipro regions to the Volyn, Rivne, and Odesa regions. Russia’s response, time and again, has been ballistic missiles, “shaheds,” and killings. In parallel, limits on Kyiv’s use of the military-grade version of U.S. company SpaceX’s satellite internet service have choked Ukrainian drone operations, according to Mr. President Donald Trump says Washington hasn’t stopped providing intelligence to Kyiv. The Russian Defence Ministry said that it struck Ukrainian targets including a data centre, a logistics hub storing components for drones and cruise missiles, an industrial facility making drone components, and a locomotive depot where missiles are stored. Zelenskyy said on social media.
