In the early hours of February 17, 2026, Russian forces targeted energy facilities across 12 regions of Ukraine. The Ukrainian Air Force successfully intercepted all cruise missiles and over 360 drones during this assault.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack, describing it as a calculated strike aimed at severely damaging Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. He highlighted the deliberate targeting of substations and thermal power plants, which resulted in significant disruptions to water and heating supplies in several areas.
Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, confirmed the widespread nature of the attacks, while Oleksii Kuleba, Vice Prime Minister for Reconstruction, noted that rail infrastructure was also affected.
Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, criticized the timing of the attack, suggesting it demonstrated Russia’s disregard for peace negotiations set to take place in Geneva.
Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat reported that the military utilized F-16s and Mirage aircraft to effectively neutralize threats from the Russian offensive, asserting that no foreign pilots participated in the defense efforts.
Meanwhile, in Geneva, a new round of negotiations involving representatives from Ukraine, the United States, and Russia commenced, with the Ukrainian delegation operating under a clear mandate approved by President Zelenskyy. Advisors from the UK, France, Germany, and Italy were also present to monitor the discussions.
In the context of ongoing sanctions, the European Union is preparing its 20th sanctions package against Russia, aiming for approval before the anniversary of the full-scale invasion on February 24. However, Hungary’s potential delays could impede this process.
In response to the recent attacks, the Ukrainian government reported casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure. In Sumy, one woman lost her life, and six others were injured, including two children. In Odesa, two individuals were injured, and critical infrastructure was compromised, leading to water and heating supply outages.
Additionally, a drone strike in Donetsk resulted in three fatalities from a civilian vehicle, while three workers at the Sloviansk TPP were killed due to a targeted drone attack. Overall, the night’s assault left a significant impact on both military and civilian sectors.
On February 17, 2026, Russia launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, prompting a strong military response from Ukrainian forces. The assault, which affected multiple regions, resulted in casualties and significant damage to civilian facilities.
