Russia launched a massive air attack on Ukraine’s energy network, causing blackouts in several regions. The strikes came as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prepared to meet US President Donald Trump in Washington to seek more American weapons and air defenses.

Russia Strikes Ukraine’s Power Grid

Russia hit Ukraine with one of its biggest assaults this year. Officials said the attack involved hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia fired more than 300 drones and 37 missiles overnight. He accused Moscow of using cluster munitions and targeting the same areas repeatedly to harm rescue teams.

“This fall, the Russians are using every single day to strike our energy infrastructure,” Zelenskyy said on Telegram.

Ukraine’s power operator Ukrenergo said eight regions lost electricity. DTEK, a private energy firm, reported outages in Kyiv. It also stopped gas extraction in the Poltava region after strikes damaged its facilities. Naftogaz, the state gas company, said this was the sixth attack on gas infrastructure this month.

Moscow Uses “Weaponizing Winter” Tactic

Russia has attacked Ukraine’s energy grid since the start of the war. Ukrainian officials call this tactic “weaponizing winter.” They say Moscow aims to freeze the country into submission during the cold months.

Russia claims it only targets military sites. But Ukraine says most attacks hit civilian infrastructure.

Ukraine responded by striking Russian oil facilities. The army said it attacked the Saratov oil refinery for the second time in two months. The plant is about 500 kilometers (300 miles) from Ukraine’s border. Moscow has not commented yet.

Zelenskyy Seeks U.S. Missiles and Air Defenses

Zelenskyy will meet Donald Trump at the White House on Friday. He plans to ask for cruise missiles, air defense systems, and drone production deals. He also wants stronger economic sanctions against Moscow.

Ukraine continues to fight along a 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line in the east and south. But defending the entire country from Russian air strikes remains difficult.

Trump and Putin Plan to Meet in Hungary

Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday. He said they agreed to meet in Budapest, Hungary, to discuss ways to end the war. The date is still undecided.

On Truth Social, Trump wrote that he would discuss his “call with Putin and much more” during his meeting with Zelenskyy. He added, “I believe great progress was made with today’s telephone conversation.”

U.S. officials say Trump is ready to put more pressure on Putin. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in Brussels that if Russia “won’t budge” and rejects peace talks, Washington “will take the steps necessary to impose costs on Russia for its continued aggression.”

Trump also said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told him India would stop buying Russian oil. That could cut key funds Moscow uses to continue the war.

Debate Over Long-Range Missiles

The U.S. is still debating whether to send long-range missiles like Tomahawks to Ukraine. Some officials fear this could escalate tensions with Russia.

But Trump has grown impatient with the war’s slow progress. He now calls Putin a major obstacle to peace.

The Institute for the Study of War, a U.S. think tank, said sending Tomahawks “would not escalate the war.” It argued the move would only “mirror Russia’s own use of long-range cruise missiles against Ukraine.”

Ukraine Boosts Defense Ties with U.S.

Ukraine signed a new deal with Bell Textron Inc., a U.S. aerospace and defense company. The agreement includes cooperation on aviation technology. Bell Textron will open an office in Ukraine and build a testing and assembly center. The company will also train Ukrainian engineers in the United States.

A Ukrainian delegation also met Lockheed Martin and Raytheon to discuss new weapons production plans.

Ukraine wants to strengthen its own defense industry as it faces uncertainty over future Western aid.