Ukraine Faces Widespread Power Outages After Russia’s Largest Aerial Attack

Russian forces launched an extensive missile and drone assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure Friday, causing widespread power outages as freezing winter temperatures gripped the region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the attack as one of the most extensive on the country’s grid this year, emphasizing the urgent need for Western support.

Ukraine’s national energy operator confirmed that the strikes, the 12th major assault on the power system in 2024, severely damaged facilities in multiple regions. The resulting power cuts left millions of civilians without electricity, intensifying the challenges posed by the ongoing conflict. Temperatures in Ukraine are currently hovering around -6 degrees Celsius, adding to the strain.

“This is Russian President Vladimir Putin’s version of ‘peace’ – destroying everything in sight,” Zelenskyy wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “The world must respond with decisive action.”

Ukraine reported that Russian forces launched 93 missiles and nearly 200 drones during the assault. Among the intercepted missiles were 81 neutralized by air defense systems, including 11 taken down by F-16 fighter jets. Zelenskyy revealed that one of the missiles was manufactured in North Korea.

Despite these efforts, the full scale of the damage remains unclear, as authorities have reduced public reporting on critical infrastructure following repeated attacks.

Officials in Lviv, a western region near the Polish border, confirmed damage to six energy facilities. Sources indicated that power substations and gas infrastructure were primary targets, marking an escalation in the type of assets being struck. DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private power provider, reported significant damage to equipment at thermal power plants, further reducing energy production capacity.

The strikes forced additional power outages across the country. Regions around Kyiv faced power cuts lasting up to 11 hours, an increase from the previous eight-hour schedule.

Yasno, an energy supplier, reported that half of its 3.5 million consumers were without electricity as of Friday. The International Atomic Energy Agency also noted reduced output at five of Ukraine’s nine operational nuclear reactors due to the sustained attacks.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha reiterated calls for expedited delivery of Western air defense systems, including NASAMS, HAWK, and IRIS-T, to bolster the country’s defenses against future attacks.

Moscow framed the strikes as retaliation for Ukraine’s use of U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles to attack a Russian military airfield earlier in the week. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that long-range precision weapons and drones targeted “critical facilities of Ukraine’s fuel and energy infrastructure supporting its military-industrial complex.”

While Russia denies targeting civilian infrastructure, it considers Ukraine’s energy grid a legitimate military target.

The latest escalation comes as Russian forces advance in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region, achieving their most significant territorial gains since 2022. These developments coincide with rising speculation about potential peace negotiations as former U.S. President Donald Trump prepares to assume office in January. Trump has pledged to prioritize ending the war swiftly.

Zelenskyy reiterated the need for robust Western military aid, arguing that Ukraine must strengthen its position before entering any peace talks. “Putin won’t stop through discussions alone – only force can pave the way to peace,” Zelenskyy stated.

As the conflict grinds on, the resilience of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and the resolve of its population remain pivotal in enduring another winter under siege.