Russia launched a sweeping aerial assault on Ukraine’s northern energy infrastructure Tuesday, deploying over 50 drones and missiles in a chilling escalation that left hundreds of thousands without electricity or water as winter approaches.

Ukrainian officials condemned the strikes as a deliberate campaign to “terrorize with cold.”

The attacks targeted the Chernihiv and Sumy regions, which border Russia and Belarus. In Chernihiv, two drones struck a heat plant and an energy facility, according to regional governor Vyacheslav Chaus. Later, 20 drones hit Novhorod-Siverskyi, killing four civilians. President Volodymyr Zelensky, citing 15 separate attacks on Chernihiv in the past month, accused Moscow of weaponizing winter. “Russia’s tactics are to kill people and terrorize them with cold,” he said.

In Sumy, the city of Shostka remains partially without power following earlier strikes. Ukraine’s energy ministry warned of a new tactic: Russian UAVs loitering over damaged sites to obstruct repairs and prolong suffering. The ministry identified 203 critical facilities—mostly power, gas, and water systems—in urgent need of Patriot missile defense coverage, but Kyiv’s air defenses remain overstretched.

In response, Ukraine intensified its counteroffensive. On Tuesday, Storm Shadow missiles struck Russia’s Bryansk Chemical Plant, a key gunpowder production site. Bryansk’s governor claimed 57 Ukrainian drones were intercepted, though Kremlin confirmation remains pending.

Meanwhile, U.S. support for Ukraine hangs in the balance. Despite earlier discussions about supplying Tomahawk missiles, President Donald Trump has cooled on aid, especially following a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest. Ukrainian officials describe Trump’s relationship with Zelensky as “tense but constructive,” raising concerns about future assistance.

Zelensky, facing mounting pressure, is pivoting toward Europe. On Thursday, he will meet with EU leaders to advocate for the release of $200 billion in frozen Russian assets to fund a proposed €140 billion loan package for defense needs, including Patriot systems and long-range missiles. “We are the only party serious about peace,” Zelensky and ten allied leaders declared in a joint statement.

Analyst Tatiana Stanovaya of the Carnegie Endowment observed a familiar pattern: “Whenever Trump gets too angry… Moscow reaches out.” With 7 million displaced in Ukraine’s mineral-rich eastern regions and blackouts worsening, Kyiv’s strategy now hinges on defending its grid, retaliating with precision, and securing European backing before the deep freeze sets in.