Large parts of Kyiv experienced significant power outages following a mass attack by Russian drones and missiles that targeted Ukrainian energy facilities. The assault resulted in widespread blackouts, cutting off electricity and water to homes and disrupting key transport links, including a major metro connection across the Dnipro River.
This latest wave of attacks occurred as winter approaches, leaving approximately 600,000 households temporarily without power across nine regions of Ukraine. Tragically, a seven-year-old child lost his life when a projectile struck his residence in the southeast, and at least 20 people sustained injuries. In central Kyiv, an apartment block was damaged, further exacerbating the situation.
As residents waited at bus stops on the left bank of the Dnipro, the metro remained out of service. Many queued at water distribution points, highlighting the immediate impact on daily life. With the conflict approaching its fourth anniversary, Ukrainians are preparing for a challenging winter amid ongoing hostilities.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy condemned the attacks, stating that civilian and energy infrastructure has become the primary target of Russian strikes as the heating season nears. He urged international allies, including the United States, Europe, and the G7, to provide essential air defense systems and enforce sanctions against Russia. “What’s needed is not window dressing but decisive action,” he emphasized on social media platform X.
In the latest overnight assault, Russia launched over 450 drones and 30 missiles. According to Ukraine’s air force, they successfully intercepted 405 of 465 drones and 15 of 32 missiles. Russia, in turn, claimed that their strikes were in retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on Russian civilian facilities.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko described the bombardment as one of the most concentrated strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure to date, with significant damage reported. By Friday morning, approximately 110,000 consumers in the Kyiv region remained without power, as reported by Governor Mykola Kalashnyk.
The attacks also had severe repercussions in other regions. In Poltava, an estimated 17,000 consumers were left without electricity, while in northeastern Kharkiv, around 200,000 households experienced outages. Ukrainian private energy firm DTEK noted that its thermal power plants suffered considerable damage but did not provide specific details.
Authorities are working to restore services, with expectations that the water supply in the capital will be reestablished by the end of the day. Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk remarked that the date marks three years since Russia initiated its first large-scale attack on Ukraine’s power grid. She stated, “Today, Russia continues to use cold and darkness as instruments of terror,” on her Facebook page.
As the situation develops, the resilience of Ukrainians will be tested once again as they navigate the challenges of winter amidst ongoing military aggression.
