Kiev (Ukraine) (AFP) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia is intensifying the targeting of energy facilities in his country to put pressure on Kiev before tripartite negotiations sponsored by the United States scheduled for next week, accusing it of using North Korean missiles in attacks on Friday night, Saturday.

Published on: 07/11/2026 - 15:17

Zelensky said that the latest strikes “precede another joint effort with (Kiev’s) partners to revive the negotiations,” adding that “by intensifying its attacks on Ukraine and our infrastructure at this very moment, Russia is trying to prepare the ground to put pressure on the position of Ukraine and its partners” in the discussions.

Representatives of Kiev, Moscow and Washington are scheduled to meet in Abu Dhabi on November 10 and 11, as part of efforts led by the administration of President Donald Trump to reach a settlement to the war that has been ongoing for more than four years.

In addition, the Ukrainian president accused Russia of using North Korean missiles in the recent strikes on Friday night.

He said, "Technical evaluation is still underway at the sites that were bombed using ballistic missiles. According to preliminary conclusions, in one of the main energy facilities that was damaged, the Russians used KN-23 missiles manufactured and supplied by North Korea."

The Ukrainian Ministry of Energy reported earlier on Saturday that "intensive" Russian strikes targeted vital facilities, causing power outages in five regions.

She confirmed in a statement that there had been severe damage to “many energy facilities” in the vicinity of the capital, which “significantly” hinders the supply of electricity to Kiev and its region, noting that “energy sector workers are working at full capacity, but the continuous weather warnings are slowing down the work.”

Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced that the Russian strikes damaged a major bridge and energy facilities in the capital and its surroundings.

He wrote on Telegram, “The energy supply situation in the capital is very difficult, and this affects the city’s heating and water supply systems.”

In another post, Klitschko reported, “The northern bridge was damaged in a hostile attack and experts are assessing the extent of the damage.”

The Northern Bridge is one of the bridges that connects the eastern part of Kiev with its western part across the Dnipro River.

© 2026 AFP

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