Russian Ballistic Missile Strikes Hit Kyiv Power Plant, Residential Building; Zelensky Condemns Lack of Warning

A key energy facility, Darnytska CHP-4 (CHPP-4), supplying Kyiv with heating and electricity, was struck by a Russian ballistic missile attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on October 13, 2026. Zelensky stated the strikes came with "no early warning from our partners." A residential building was also hit in the attack.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that two people were killed and 21 injured in the missile strike on the apartment block late on Tuesday. Klitschko added that "several energy facilities" in Kyiv had been hit by what he described as "massive missile attacks" that knocked out power to parts of the city in the early hours of Wednesday. Kyiv officials urged residents to shelter after a red alert due to a "missile threat."

President Zelensky condemned the attacks, stating, "Ukraine supported an energy ceasefire. Russia is targeting yet another power plant and the lives of our people." He called it "absolutely unjust" that Ukraine's energy infrastructure is being destroyed without early warnings about ballistic missile launches. Zelensky urged the world not to stay silent and pressed the United States to acknowledge what is happening and who is responsible for the war's continuation.

This marks the second consecutive night Kyiv has been hit by Russian missiles. Following strikes on Monday night, there was speculation that America had cut off access to key intelligence needed by Ukraine to track incoming threats. US President Donald Trump denied this on Tuesday, stating, "We are helping them and we are sharing intel." Trump added, "We want the war to end. So we’re working with them and with Russia on getting the war to end."

When asked about Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy sites, Trump countered, "Ukraine hit many sites the day before." He refrained from stating whether Russia had broken a ceasefire, reiterating that both countries desire an end to the war but "just don't know how to get there." These strikes occurred after Trump announced a potential energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine two days prior.

The attacks also follow Zelensky’s statement on Sunday that a 60-day ceasefire would enable his country to hold presidential elections, a comment made after Trump suggested it was "time for Ukraine to get a new president." Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov subsequently stated that Ukraine does not deserve the "respite" a ceasefire would bring, arguing that Europe would use such a period to "pump [Ukraine] with new weapons."

CHPP-4, which serves the Dniprovskyi district and parts of the Darnytskyi district, has been repeatedly targeted during the conflict. It was severely damaged in a separate Russian missile attack in February this year, forcing its shutdown and leaving over 1,000 residential buildings, 47 schools, 72 kindergartens, and 18 medical institutions without heating and hot water, according to Reuters.

What to watch: International reactions and any developments regarding intelligence sharing and ceasefire talks.

Editor's note: The draft effectively summarizes the ongoing conflict and the specific quotes from Zelensky and Trump provided in the source.