The Kremlin claims Ukrainian drones have struck 2 air bases deep inside Russia.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated that Russian President Vladimir Putin remains open to talks but the Western demand that Moscow first withdraws its troops from Ukraine is unacceptable.

NATO allies have made plans to boost provisions of blankets, generators and other basic necessities, and the U.S. will use $53 million to buy electrical parts for the country’s electrical grid.

The power situation was so dire that Ukraine’s energy trader – in normal times an exporter – tested importing electricity from neighboring Romania.

A barrage of missiles has struck the recently liberated city of Kherson in a marked escalation of attacks since Russia withdrew two weeks ago.

Russian officials have claimed they are hitting legitimate targets. But the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights on Friday expressed his shock at the depth of civilian suffering caused by the bombing, amid broader allegations of abuses.

Mayor Vitali Klitschko posted on Telegram that ‘one of the capital’s infrastructure facilities has been hit.’

Russian strikes have pummeled Ukraine in an onslaught that has caused widespread blackouts and deprived millions of Ukrainians of electricity, heat and water.