Russian forces launched a powerful overnight assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, cutting electricity in nine regions and plunging large parts of Kyiv into darkness. Ukrainian officials reported that at least one person, a seven-year-old child, was killed in the southeast, while more than 20 others were injured. The strikes caused severe damage to power stations and grids, marking one of the most destructive attacks on Ukraine’s energy network as winter approaches.
President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, stating that Russia continues to deliberately target civilian and energy infrastructure to weaken Ukraine before the heating season. He urged Western allies to provide more air defence systems and enforce stricter sanctions against Moscow, warning that “decisive action, not symbolic gestures,” is needed. The latest assault highlights Russia’s continued strategy of using energy disruption as a weapon of war.
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Across Kyiv, residents woke up to widespread power outages, water shortages, and transport delays. Many were forced to find alternate routes as subway services were suspended and buses overcrowded. “We had no power or water when I left home,” said Anatoliy, a 23-year-old student. “I spent the night in the hallway because of explosions.” Daily life in the capital was once again thrown into chaos, with authorities racing to restore essential services.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko described the barrage as one of the most concentrated attacks on energy facilities since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. Around 28,000 households in the Kyiv region remained without power by Friday morning, while thousands more were affected in the central Poltava region. Private energy company DTEK confirmed that several of its thermal power plants suffered major damage during the strikes.
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Despite the destruction, emergency crews worked tirelessly to repair the grid and restore water and electricity to critical infrastructure. Officials said partial power had already been restored in several areas, with full services expected by the end of the day. However, the repeated attacks on Ukraine’s energy network continue to pose a serious challenge for the government as it prepares for another harsh winter under the shadow of war.