President Vladimir Putin said the recent strikes were retaliation for attacks on Russian territory using US-supplied ATACMS missiles|The Presidential Press and Information Office|CC BY 4.0

Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to attack Kyiv again, following strikes in the past two days involving over 90 missiles and 100 drones that left over a million Ukrainian households without power.

The bombardment targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure was retaliation for attacks on Russian territory using US-supplied ATACMS missiles, Putin said.

He warned of further launches of the new nuclear-capable “Oreshnik” ballistic missile. Last week, Moscow deployed the missile in Ukraine’s Dnipro region for the first time.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the escalation, calling it a severe increase in brutality.

Emergency blackouts persist as temperatures hover around freezing.

Experts and officials accuse Russia of violating international law by targeting civilian infrastructure deliberately.

President Joe Biden condemned the “horrific” strikes, emphasizing the importance of supporting Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Zelensky urged allies to provide advanced air defense systems to counter these escalating threats.