Russia on Wednesday launched a major ballistic and cruise missile attack on regions across Ukraine, targeting energy production and compelling authorities to shut down the power grid in some areas despite freezing winter weather,

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned allies that the defense of his nation is a litmus test for broader Western resolve, after Russia fired at least 117 missiles and drones in an overnight attack on the country's energy infrastructure facilities.

(Reuters) - Ukraine introduced emergency power cuts in six regions amid what authorities described as a "massive" Russian missile strike, the national grid operator said on Wednesday. Kyiv's air force had warned of numerous groups of missiles launched by Russia amid a nationwide air-raid alert, but there were no immediate reports of damage.

Russia launched dozens of missiles and drones at the Ukrainian energy sector, Kyiv said Wednesday, ramping up a months-long bombing campaign at a precarious moment of the war for Ukraine.The barrage came just one day after Kyiv said it had carried out its largest aerial attack of the war on Russian army factories and energy hubs hundreds of kilometres from the front line.

A massive Russian attack on Ukraine is underway. The Operational Command of the Armed Forces announced that standby pairs of fighter jets have been scrambled, and ground air defence and radar systems have reached the highest state of readiness.

A massive Russian attack on Ukraine is underway. The Operational Command of the Armed Forces has announced that standby pairs of fighter jets have been scrambled, and ground air defense and radar systems have been placed on high alert.