Explosive Showdown: Russia's Massive Strikes on Ukraine's Power Grid Just Hours Before Zelensky-Biden Summit!

Ukraine was subjected to a devastating missile attack by Russia across the country on Thursday, with energy facilities in Kyiv and other cities targeted. This occurred just before President Volodymyr Zelensky was scheduled to meet US President Joe Biden at the White House.

The city of Kherson in the south suffered two fatalities, and in Kyiv, seven people, including a 9-year-old girl, were injured in the recent assault. Mayor Vitalii Klitschko reported that the child and an 18-year-old woman were hospitalized after debris from an infrastructure facility fell onto a residential building.

Apartment buildings and cars in Kherson city also suffered damage due to Russian shelling, leading officials to describe it as a devastating night. Local authorities reported two injuries in the city of Kharkiv, where Russia carried out six strikes in the early hours of the morning. Additionally, at least 10 people were injured in overnight missile attacks on the city of Cherkasy in central Ukraine.

According to Ukrenergo, the state energy provider, these strikes represent the first time in six months that Russia has targeted Ukraine's power infrastructure. This comes at a crucial time as the country prepares for colder seasons, necessitating increased energy usage for heating. In October of last year, Russia initiated a series of intense attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

Ukrenergo said the overnight missile attacks resulted in damage to power facilities in western and central regions and caused blackouts in several areas.

Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

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Zelensky confronts a more fractured Republican Party as he returns to Capitol Hill seeking assistance.

According to Ukraine's army chief, Ukrainian air defenses successfully brought down 36 out of 43 missiles fired by Russia on Thursday. However, air raid warnings are still active in certain areas of the country, with certain Ukrainian officials cautioning that the missile danger persists.

The capital city of Kyiv has been experiencing air raid alarms for over 1,000 hours since the beginning of the Russian invasion, as confirmed by the head of the city's military administration. "It is a morning filled with unrest," emphasized Ukraine's Minister of Internal Affairs, Ihor Klymenko, on Thursday, as he appealed to Ukrainians to strictly adhere to safety protocols.

The air raid alarms, which regularly sound on loudspeakers across the city and on residents' cell phones, have become so common that government officials have had to urge residents to still use bomb shelters.

"Please don't ignore the air raid alarms," stated Serhii Popko, the head of Kyiv City Military Administration, emphasizing that the capital has been enduring continuous alarms for a year and a half. "We have managed to survive it, and we will face even greater challenges together."

Smoke rises over Kyiv on September 21, 2023 after Russia launched another round of strikes on the Ukrainian capital.

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Firefighters put out a fire after an overnight missile attack in Kyiv.

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The recent missile strikes follow a heated United Nations General Assembly in New York, during which Zelensky emphasized the importance of eliminating Russia's veto power as the initial crucial step.

"Due to the aggressor's continuous vetoing, all attempts to halt the war have been futile," stated Zelensky during his address at the UN Security Council meeting held on Wednesday.

In addition to the sanctions already imposed by allies on Russia since the war began, the Ukrainian president has advocated for the implementation of proactive sanctions against nations involved in conflicts. "Those who contemplate starting a war should be made fully aware of the significant consequences they would suffer," stated Zelensky.

On Thursday, Zelensky will travel to meet with Biden, who is eager to gain a "battlefield perspective," according to the White House.

This comes as the Ukrainian president appeals for further assistance for his country devastated by war, while the US Congress remains split on the appropriate action. John Kirby, the National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, stated that Biden will also affirm the commitment of the United States to stand by Ukraine for as long as necessary.

CNNs Tim Lister and Karen Smith contributed to this report.