Russian drone and missile strikes have caused widespread disruptions to heating, water, and electricity supplies for millions across Ukraine, particularly in the Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kyiv regions, amidst severe freezing temperatures. Ukrainian officials report these attacks as deliberate targeting of critical energy infrastructure, exacerbating a challenging winter period for civilians and straining the country's utility systems. Restoration efforts are ongoing, while residents and authorities implement various adaptation measures to cope with the outages.
Widespread Utility Disruptions
Over one million people in Ukraine's southeastern Dnipropetrovsk region experienced disruptions to heating and water supplies following Russian drone strikes. Electricity supplies were also temporarily affected for thousands in the neighboring Zaporizhzhia region, with power largely restored in some areas, though near-total power loss was reported in both regions at one point. In Kyiv, hundreds of thousands of households faced power outages, with Mayor Vitali Klitschko reporting over 500 high-rise buildings without heating and significant electricity shortages. The capital has experienced temperatures as low as -19°C (-2°F).
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russia launched over 300 attack drones, 18 ballistic missiles, and 7 cruise missiles overnight on one occasion, targeting energy-generation facilities and substations across eight regions, including Kyiv. Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) has reported that Russian forces have targeted 11 hydroelectric power plants, 45 major combined heat and power plants, 49 thermal power plants, and 151 electrical substations across the country since 2022.
Regional Impacts and Civilian Response
Kyiv Region: Residents of Kyiv have endured prolonged periods without electricity, heating, or running water. Temperatures have ranged from -10°C (14°F) to -20°C (-4°F). Electricity-powered public transport in half of Kyiv was suspended due to power cuts. Mayor Klitschko noted that heating had been restored to approximately 85% of apartment buildings, but over 1,000 buildings remained without heat. "Invincibility Trains" operated by Ukrainian Railways offer temporary warmth, power, and comfort at suburban stations. Families have adopted makeshift solutions, such as heating building bricks on gas stoves, and some are temporarily relocating from the city. Mobile shelters have been established to provide warmth and charging facilities.
Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia Regions: Hospitals, water facilities, and other critical services in these areas have been operating on backup systems. While power was reported restored in Zaporizhzhia, over 13,000 people were without electricity on a Sunday morning. Water utility workers in Zaporizhzhia largely reinstated water services despite regional blackouts.
Kharkiv Region: Approximately 400,000 people in Kharkiv were reported to be without electricity after Russian aerial attacks. A Russian missile strike on a postal service terminal in the Kharkiv region resulted in four fatalities.
Bucha: The city faces severe power outages amidst temperatures reaching -20°C (-4°F), prompting a national state of emergency. Energy rationing is in effect, but Mayor Anatolii Fedoruk noted that Bucha struggles to adhere to the schedule. Newer urban developments in Bucha reportedly have more resilient distributed power supply systems compared to older Soviet-era centralized plants. Residents in temporary housing facilities experienced indoor temperatures dropping to 6°C (43°F) after power cuts, leading to increased fear and panic-buying.
International aid agencies, including UNICEF and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), have warned of a high risk of hypothermia, frostbite, and respiratory illnesses, especially for children, due to the lack of heat and dwindling emergency power generator stocks.
Official Responses and Restoration Efforts
Ukraine has declared a state of emergency in its energy sector, with President Zelensky establishing a round-the-clock task force to manage the effects of airstrikes and deteriorating weather conditions. He ordered the procurement of vital energy equipment and resources from abroad and an increase in emergency help points in Kyiv. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko stated that Ukraine's energy system experiences daily military attacks, noting that heat-generating facilities were deliberately targeted with ballistic missiles.
Ukrenergo, the state grid operator, announced that emergency restoration efforts would commence when security conditions permit, prioritizing critical infrastructure. The company implemented emergency power cuts in the Kyiv region for system repairs. Repair work is ongoing in affected regions, and residents have been advised to limit electricity consumption to reduce strain on the power grid. Engineers are working continuously, but icy conditions complicate repair efforts, and equipment is operating at critical parameters, with repairs expected to take years to complete in some areas. Kyiv city authorities support building modernization efforts through a 70/30 funding program for energy-efficiency projects. Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal indicated that Ukraine has fuel reserves for over 20 days.
Broader Energy Infrastructure Challenges and Adaptation
Maxim Timchenko, CEO of DTEK, Ukraine's largest private energy provider, reported that the company operates in a constant state of crisis due to Russian attacks, with the intensity of strikes hindering recovery efforts. Russia has consistently targeted DTEK's energy infrastructure with drones, cruise, and ballistic missiles. Oleksandr Kharchenko, director of the Kyiv-based Energy Industry Research Center, characterized the Russian strategy as an attempt to escalate a "man-made disaster into an absolute crisis." Ukraine's state security service (SBU) has designated the continued attacks on power and thermal heating plants as "crimes against humanity."
Despite these challenges, Ukrainian resolve and adaptability have been noted. Cities like Zhytomyr have developed mini-combined heat and power plants (CHPs) and boiler houses to supplement larger grids. Administrative buildings, hospitals, and businesses utilize high-capacity generators. Many residents have formed Condominium Owners Associations (OSBBs) to upgrade their buildings, improving energy efficiency with installations such as solar stations, balancing batteries, and insulated windows. Individuals also employ solutions like large battery systems, power banks for devices, and gas heaters for warmth. Household electricity consumption patterns have shifted, with preferences for battery-powered LED lamps and changes in food storage habits.
International and Political Context
These incidents occur as the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion approaches. President Zelensky stated that Russia is preparing a new wave of large-scale attacks on Ukraine and called for increased international pressure and expedited provision of air defense systems and missiles, noting current supplies are insufficient. Russian officials have stated that the goal of targeting energy networks is to force negotiations. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated it conducted a "massive strike against energy infrastructure facilities used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces" as a response to Ukrainian attacks on Russian civilian infrastructure. Ukraine has also conducted strikes on several oil refineries in Russia, leading to temporary power disruptions in some areas. The governor of Russia's Belgorod region indicated that residents might need to evacuate if power supply issues persist following a Ukrainian strike on a power plant substation.
Following discussions in Paris, the United Kingdom and France signed a declaration of intent regarding the potential deployment of troops to Ukraine if a peace agreement is reached. Moscow issued a warning, stating that foreign forces deployed under such circumstances would be considered a legitimate target. President Zelensky has expressed his view that the conflict could conclude in the first half of 2026, noting advances in negotiations with European partners and the United States. A Ukrainian delegation is traveling to the US for discussions on security guarantees and a post-war recovery package, estimated at $800 billion. Former US President Donald Trump stated that Ukraine is "less ready to make a deal" than Russia, citing President Zelensky as hindering peace talks.