Russia Strikes Ukraine’s Energy Grid With 39 Ballistic Missiles and 120 Drones; Trump and Musk Say Zelensky Should Go
Russia fired 39 ballistic missiles and more than 120 drones at energy and other critical infrastructure in Kyiv, the Kyiv region and Kharkiv overnight, leaving some 600,000 people without power, Ukraine's president said. Meanwhile, President Trump and Elon Musk both suggested Ukraine needs a new leader, and Kyiv charged that its military satellite link was throttled without warning.
Russia fired 39 ballistic missiles and more than 120 attack drones and loitering munitions at Ukraine’s energy and critical infrastructure overnight, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday, in a second straight night of ballistic missile strikes that left about 600,000 people without power.
Zelensky said the barrage hit targets in Kyiv, the Kyiv region and Kharkiv, including a strike aimed directly at energy infrastructure. In a post on X, he urged the United States and other countries “to respond – and to respond forcefully,” saying Russia had rejected de-escalation and that peace would come only through strength, a principle he tied to former President Ronald Reagan.
Trump and Musk question Zelensky’s leadership
The strikes came as President Trump and Elon Musk both suggested Ukraine needs a new leader. Trump has been pressing Kyiv to stop striking Russian refineries, citing rising global energy prices, and has criticized Zelensky while suggesting Ukrainians should choose a new leader, according to the New York Post. Musk echoed him, posting on X Saturday that “Zelensky has gone too far” and adding Sunday: “I agree, time for Ukraine to get a new leader.”
The remarks drew backlash in Europe. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski wrote on X: “Hey, @elonmusk, big man, are you playing politics with your products again? As your European customers, we are watching you.” European officials have pointed blame at Musk over the dispute, though it remains unclear whether he was at fault.
Kyiv says its military satellite link was throttled
Ukrainian officials charged Wednesday that access to a military version of Musk’s Starlink satellite system was limited without warning, disrupting combat drone missions during the Russian assault. Presidential adviser Serhiy Beskrestnov wrote on Telegram that defense forces received no warning and that several missions were disrupted.
A source familiar with the situation told the Post the throttling capped the speed of Ukrainian drones at 100 miles per hour, making high-speed drone, aircraft and helicopter operations impossible and hurting efforts to counter Russian Shahed drones in the middle of the strikes. The person also said the limitation coincided with reported glitches in the early warning Ukraine has historically received from partners about incoming ballistic missiles.
Musk has said Ukraine is served by Starshield, a separate, U.S. government-managed satellite constellation distinct from Starlink, which bars using its service to guide weapons. Ukraine has relied on the system for years; Poland pays about $50 million a year for access, and Ukraine’s contract for the network runs through May 15, 2027, according to the Post’s source, who said Kyiv has contacted the company about the apparent throttling.
Reporting based on coverage by the New York Post.
