URGENT UPDATE: Overnight Russian strikes have plunged 1 million residents in the Dnipropetrovsk region of southern Ukraine into darkness and cold. Authorities confirmed that key civilian infrastructure was severely damaged, cutting off heat and water supplies as winter sets in.
As of mid-morning today, Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba reported that utility providers were racing against time to restore services. Although power has been restored to approximately 200,000 customers, officials warn that residents should stockpile water and use batteries sparingly as full restoration remains uncertain.
In addition, thousands in Zaporizhzhia also faced outages, but President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that electricity has been restored in the area. Zelensky emphasized that efforts to restore services in other affected cities—including Kamianske, Kryvyi Rih, Nikopol, and Pavlohrad—are ongoing.
“Restoration work has been going on non-stop since last night,” stated DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private energy company. “Crews from all over the region are working. We aim to restore power to families as quickly as possible.”
Zelensky condemned the Russian strikes, labeling them as devoid of military value and solely aimed at inflicting suffering on civilians. “There is no military sense in such strikes on the energy sector that leave people without electricity and heating in winter conditions,” he stated. He called on Ukrainians to remain resilient and urged Western partners to continue supporting Ukraine’s air defenses.
These attacks are part of a systematic campaign targeting Ukraine’s electric power grid, which has intensified this winter. Russian forces have broadened their focus to include gas facilities, pipelines, and storage units, depriving Ukrainians of essential resources to stay warm.
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, the Kremlin has strategically aimed at damaging Ukraine’s electricity network each winter, causing widespread hardships. As the situation unfolds, the urgency for international assistance and solidarity becomes increasingly pressing for the beleaguered nation.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, working tirelessly to restore power and water to all affected regions. Residents are advised to stay updated on the latest developments as crews work around the clock to repair the damage and restore essential services.
