KYIV, Ukraine — Early Monday morning, a Russian missile attack on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, resulted in the destruction of several homes and left over 100 households without electricity. The attack came amid warnings of increased assaults on the country’s energy infrastructure from Russia as winter approached with freezing temperatures.

The predawn attack on Kyiv was a shocking reminder of the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, as air raid sirens and loud explosions broke the silence of the city just after 4 a.m., during its nightly curfew. Ukraine’s military reported that its air defenses successfully intercepted all eight ballistic missiles, but falling debris from the rockets caused damage to homes on the ground, resulting in one person wounded and three others suffering from severe shock.

AP journalists on the ground witnessed the destruction in the district of Bortnychi, where a home under construction was torn apart and nearby buildings were partially damaged. The attack also left around 120 households in the city without electricity, according to Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy. Officials have cautioned that Russia could target energy infrastructure to cause power outages and blackouts, similar to what occurred last winter.

This latest attack follows a pattern of escalated assaults by Russia, including the recent use of its heavy bomber fleet and the most intense drone attack since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was in Argentina for the swearing-in of the country’s new president, continued to seek support from leaders in Latin America for Ukraine’s battle against Russian forces.

Zelenskyy’s upcoming travel to Washington to meet with President Joe Biden and other U.S. officials is intended to ensure unity in supporting Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s aggression. Biden has proposed a funding package for Ukraine and other national security priorities, though the request is currently entangled in a debate over U.S. immigration policy and border security.

The recent missile attack on Kyiv and the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia demonstrate the continued threat to the country’s sovereignty and the urgent need for international support. The assault has caused significant damage to homes and infrastructure, indicating the relentless nature of the conflict and the potential for further escalation. As the world watches, the future of Ukraine remains uncertain in the face of ongoing aggression from Russia.