Russia targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure overnight, meaning another winter of power outages for Ukrainians as Vladimir Putin tries to crush their resolve. Holly Williams reports.
Good evening. There were Russian strikes across Ukraine overnight, again targeting this country’s energy infrastructure. That means another winter with power outages for Ukrainians as Vladimir Putin tries to crush their resolve.
Russia hit a railway hub near Kyiv overnight, as well as the village of Novi Petrivtsi, around 400 miles from the front line. We don’t know why the Russians targeted a small warehouse and a home.
Some local residents do know what they think of President Trump’s peace plan. “Mr. Trump needs to hear it that he is being deceived,” said Olena Comic. “You can’t bargain with Russia.” But President Trump’s negotiators are trying. His special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and son‑in‑law, Jared Kushner, went to Moscow this past week.
Despite a five‑hour meeting with Vladimir Putin, they left without an agreement. Putin does not look or sound like a man who wants to make peace. His troops are slowly gaining ground on the battlefield, and he’s tied his political legacy to this war, despite Russian casualties thought to number over a million.
Ukraine is paying a steep price for its resistance. At the Unbroken mental health clinic, they treat Ukrainian military veterans, many suffering from post‑traumatic stress disorder. Dr. Oleh Berezyuk is the clinic’s director. “This is the war for freedom. We must survive and win because we people who are free people and want to have freedom. We are truly asking, please help. Next time, we will help you,” he said.
Ukrainians tell us they desperately want this war to stop, but many are opposed to a peace deal imposed on them by the U.S. that would force them to hand over parts of their country to Russia — a deal that would not protect them from any future attack by Vladimir Putin.
The hardships of war continue. Holly Williams, Lviv.