Russia Launches Major Strike on Ukraine’s Energy Infrastructure, Deepening Winter Power Crisis

Russia has carried out what Ukrainian authorities describe as one of the largest and most coordinated attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure this year, intensifying pressure on the power system at the height of winter.

Russia Launches Major Strike on Ukraine’s Energy Infrastructure, Deepening Winter Power Crisis

According to Ukrainian officials and energy companies, the offensive involved dozens of missiles and a large number of drones, targeting thermal power plants, substations and key electricity distribution facilities across multiple regions, including areas surrounding Kyiv, Kharkiv and central Ukraine.

The national energy operator reported severe operational constraints, forcing emergency power cuts to prevent a wider collapse of the grid. As a result, thousands of households were left without electricity and heating, a critical issue as temperatures in parts of the country remain well below freezing.

Energy as a strategic target

The latest strike reinforces a pattern that has defined the conflict since late 2022: energy infrastructure has become a central battlefield. By disrupting electricity generation and transmission, Russia seeks to undermine not only Ukraine’s economy but also civilian resilience during the winter months.

Ukrainian energy company DTEK confirmed damage to several facilities and warned that repairs could take weeks, depending on security conditions and the availability of equipment.

End of an informal pause

The attack comes shortly after the expiration of an informal pause in strikes on energy assets, which had offered temporary relief to Ukraine’s power system. Analysts interpret the renewed offensive as a signal that no de-escalation is currently underway, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.

President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attacks, accusing Moscow of deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure and calling for stronger international support, particularly in air defence systems capable of protecting critical energy assets.

System under stress

Ukraine’s electricity grid, already weakened by repeated attacks over the past two years, continues to operate under emergency protocols, including rolling blackouts and load management measures. While decentralised generation and rapid repairs have helped avoid a total blackout, experts warn that each new strike reduces the system’s margin of safety.

For the global energy sector, the situation underscores how energy security has become inseparable from geopolitical stability, with modern conflicts increasingly aimed at power systems rather than traditional military targets.

Russia Launches Major Strike on Ukraine’s Energy Infrastructure, Deepening Winter Power Crisis