Russian forces have launched a renewed wave of missile and drone strikes targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, causing widespread power outages across several regions as winter temperatures remain below freezing.
Ukrainian officials said air defenses intercepted many incoming drones and missiles, but multiple energy facilities were damaged, forcing emergency shutdowns and rolling blackouts in parts of Kyiv, Odesa, Dnipro and Kharkiv. Authorities reported civilian casualties, with at least several people killed and others injured in the latest strikes, though figures may rise as damage assessments continue.
Energy workers have been deployed to repair substations and restore electricity, while emergency shelters have opened in affected cities. The United Nations has previously warned that repeated attacks on civilian infrastructure could worsen humanitarian conditions during winter.
Moscow has described its campaign as targeting military-linked infrastructure, while Kyiv and Western allies accuse Russia of deliberately striking civilian energy systems to weaken morale and disrupt daily life. The escalation comes as Ukraine continues to request additional air defense systems from Western partners.
