Massive Russian Drone and Missile Strikes Cause Nationwide Power Outages Across Ukraine

Two energy infrastructure facilities suffered damage in western Ukraine's Lviv region, close to the Polish border.

Kyiv experienced nationwide power disruptions Thursday as Russia continued its systematic campaign against Ukraine's energy infrastructure, with Ukrainian officials reporting outages across all regions.

Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko characterized Moscow's strategy as "systematic energy terror" aimed at crippling the country as winter approaches.

The massive assault involved more than 650 drones and 50 various missiles according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, resulting in at least two fatalities and 17 injuries, including children aged between 2 and 16.

Ukraine's centralized utility systems for water, sewage, and heating ceased functioning during the blackouts, aligning with Russia's apparent strategy to undermine civilian morale and disrupt military operations nearly four years into the full-scale invasion.

"Russia continues its systematic energy terror - striking at the lives, dignity, and warmth of Ukrainians on the eve of winter. Its goal is to plunge Ukraine into darkness; ours is to keep the light on," stated Prime Minister Svyrydenko.

She emphasized Ukraine's urgent needs: "To stop this terror, Ukraine needs more air defence systems, tougher sanctions, and maximum pressure on Russia," referencing unsuccessful US-led diplomatic efforts to bring Russia to peace negotiations.

In southern Zaporizhzhia, the attacks injured 17 people, including a two-year-old girl. Emergency responders recovered a man from building debris, but he did not survive, according to regional administration head Ivan Fedorov.

The assault prompted Poland to activate military protocols, with Polish and allied NATO aircraft scrambled as a precautionary measure. Polish regional airports in Radom and Lublin temporarily closed to ensure military operational freedom, according to the Polish Air Navigation Services Agency.