RUSSIA hit Ukraine's energy infrastructure with a large-scale missile and drone bombardment during the night, officials said today.

The attack came hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced new peace talks with the United States will take place next week and a day after the US withdrew intelligence support for Kiev.

Ukraine came under a “massive missile and drone” attack, Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko wrote on social media. At least 10 people, including a child, were injured, authorities said.

“Russia is trying to hurt ordinary Ukrainians by striking energy and gas production facilities, without abandoning its goal of leaving us without light and heat and causing the greatest harm to ordinary citizens,” Mr Halushchenko wrote.

Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraine’s power grid during the war. The attacks have depleted electricity generation capacity and disrupted critical heating and water supplies. 

Ukrainian officials have accused Russia of weaponising winter in an effort to erode civilian morale.

Western-supplied air defence systems are essential to intercept Russian missiles, but further US help is uncertain under US President Donald Trump, who says he is determined to end the war and has paused US military aid for Kiev as a way of pressing President Zelensky to negotiate.

In his nightly address, Mr Zelensky said on Thursday he would travel to Saudi Arabia on Monday to meet the country’s crown prince, and his team would stay on to hold talks with US officials.

President Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, said the US team wanted to discuss a “framework” for peace to try to end the war in Ukraine.

Mr Witkoff said Mr Trump had received a letter from Mr Zelensky that included an “apology” for the extraordinary row in the White House Oval Office last week.

“Hopefully, we can get things back on track with the Ukrainians and everything resumes,” Mr Witkoff added.