First Thing: Russian missile barrage knocks out power in Ukraine

Latest attack reported to include use of hypersonic missiles, of which Moscow is only believed to have a few dozen. Plus, the 10 worst places to live in the US for air pollution

Good morning.

Russia has unleashed a missile barrage including the use of hypersonic missiles – that cannot be intercepted – targeting energy infrastructure across Ukraine, in the largest such attack in three weeks.

What did Russia use in the barrage? Ukrainian officials said Moscow had fired six of its Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, an unprecedented number, which Ukraine has no way of shooting down. Russia is believed to have only a few dozen of the missiles, which the president, Vladimir Putin, regularly touts in speeches as a weapon for which Nato has no answer.

What else is happening? The Kyiv mayor, Vitali Klitschko, confirmed one of the explosions was an attack on a power facility, and that 40% of Kyiv’s residents were without heating. It is currently 4C. “After the missile attack, due to emergency power outages, 40% of the capital’s consumers are currently without heating. Water supply works normally,” he said on Telegram.

When will McConnell be back? It is unclear if McConnell will be out today and if that would have an effect on scheduled votes. The South Dakota senator John Thune is the Senate’s No 2 Republican.