Ukrainian officials reported that a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack on Thursday crippled the nation’s energy grid, leaving over one million homes without power.

This latest assault, involving more than 200 missiles and drones, constitutes another major attack in under two weeks.

Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko’s Facebook post confirmed attacks on energy facilities across Ukraine, necessitating nationwide emergency power outages.

According to the Associated Press, the Lviv, Rivne, Volyn, and Ivano-Frankivsk regions in western Ukraine were among the areas affected.

Reports indicated that Kalibr cruise missiles equipped with cluster munitions struck civilian targets. This action was condemned as a “devious escalation.”

Zelenskyy urged expedited delivery of promised air defense systems from Western nations in response to the attack, emphasizing their urgent need for saving lives.

“Each such attack underscores the immediate necessity of air defense systems in Ukraine, where they save lives, not in storage,” Zelenskyy stated on Telegram.

Andrii Yermak, head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, accused Russia of stockpiling missiles for a winter war effort, alleging support from “unhinged allies, including North Korea.”

Russia’s targeting of Ukraine during harsh winter months is a recurring tactic, aimed at cutting off civilian access to heat and water.

These attacks also seek to disrupt Ukraine’s production of missiles, drones, armored vehicles, and other military equipment.

Nearly three years of war have resulted in the destruction of almost half of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.