Russia launched its biggest wave of missile attacks on Ukrainian cities in more than a month, hours after Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky proposed a peace plan before world leaders at the G20 summit in Indonesia.
Air raid sirens were heard across Ukraine shortly after its leader outlined a 10-point plan that included withdrawing Russian troops and restoring Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
Russia fired “about 100 missiles” at cities across the country, according to Yurii Ihnat, a spokesman for Ukraine’s aviation administration.
The raids targeted power infrastructure in several parts of the country, leaving power supplies in a critical state, according to senior Ukrainian officials.
At least a dozen cities and regions were targeted, according to a CNN analysis of the missile attacks. The wave of strikes appears to be the largest since October 10, when Russia stepped up its campaign to destroy electricity, water and gas infrastructure across Ukraine.
In a video message posted on Telegram on Tuesday evening local time, Zelensky said 85 missile strikes had been launched so far and warned that more could follow.
“We can see what the enemy wants, they won’t succeed,” he said. “We may have 20 more strikes, please take care of yourself, stay sheltered for a while.”
In the capital, Kyiv, the city’s military administration said one person was killed. Two explosions were heard, he added, ordering residents to stay in shelters. He said four missiles were shot down.
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said at the time that there had been a third strike. “Another strike in the Pechersk district of the city of Kyiv. A high-rise building,” Klitschko said.
Electricity was cut off in several parts of Ukraine as a result of the shelling.
State energy supplier Ukrenergo said the Russians were “trying to turn off the lights in the country again”.
“The attack is still ongoing, we cannot yet assess the full extent of the damage, there are hits to our infrastructure in all regions of the country, but the most difficult situation is in the northern and central regions,” he added.
In his video message, Zelensky said authorities were working to restore power. “We will endure,” he said.
Additionally, the country is “currently experiencing a major internet outage,” according to Netblocks, which monitors cyber security and connectivity around the world, with connectivity at 67% of previous levels.
Earlier on Tuesday, Zelensky made a proposal to end the Russian invasion, according to a transcript released on Tuesday by the Ukrainian Embassy in Indonesia.
The president’s peace plan includes 10 steps, including a path to nuclear security, food security, a Special Russian War Crimes Tribunal and a final peace treaty with Russia, according to the text of the speech.
He urged G20 leaders to use all their power to “get Russia to abandon nuclear threats” and to impose a price cap on energy imported from Moscow.
Zelensky also called on Russia to stop bombing Ukraine’s energy infrastructure as winter approaches.
“Let Russia prove by rejecting terror that it really cares about restoring peace,” he said.
Moscow has been isolated at this year’s G20 summit as many Western leaders have vowed not to have any contact with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who is attending on behalf of the Kremlin.