URGENT UPDATE: Overnight Russian strikes in the Dnipropetrovsk region of southern Ukraine have left one million residents without power or water. The devastating attacks, confirmed by Ukrainian officials, severely impacted critical civilian infrastructure, plunging communities into darkness and cold.
Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba announced that utility providers are working around the clock to restore services. By mid-morning, power had been restored to approximately 200,000 customers in Dnipropetrovsk, but authorities warned residents to stockpile water and conserve battery power, as full service restoration remains uncertain.
President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that electricity supply was also disrupted in neighboring Zaporizhzhia, although power has since been restored. Zelensky emphasized that restoration efforts are ongoing in key cities such as Kamianske, Kryvyi Rih, Nikopol, and Pavlohrad.
“Restoration work has been ongoing non-stop since last night,” said DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private energy company. Crews from across the region are mobilizing to restore critical infrastructure as quickly as possible. Zelensky condemned the Russian strikes, stating, “There is no military sense in such attacks on the energy sector,” and highlighted the aim to create suffering during the harsh winter conditions.
These strikes are part of a sustained campaign by Russian forces targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, which has intensified as the country faces freezing temperatures. The attacks on gas wells, storage facilities, and pipelines aim to deprive Ukrainians of essential heating resources. This tactic has been seen in each winter since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens, Zelensky is urging resilience among the Ukrainian people and appealing to Western allies to continue supporting Ukraine’s air defenses. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing efforts to assess and repair the damage inflicted by the latest strikes.
Authorities are advising residents to remain vigilant and prepared for extended outages as the battle for energy supplies continues. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing situation.
