Hundreds of thousands in eastern Ukraine lose power after Russian strikes

Following a second consecutive night of Russian missile and drone strikes targeting critical energy infrastructure, over 850,000 Ukrainian residents remain without electricity. Ukrainian energy operator DTEK reported significant damage, noting that over 600,000 people in the Dnipropetrovsk region and 250,000 in the Kharkiv region lost power. The blackouts have raised concerns over heating and water supply disruptions during cold winter conditions.

Additionally, the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant relies on emergency diesel generators for reactor cooling after losing its primary external power connection. Russia’s Ministry of Defence confirmed launching attacks against Ukrainian energy facilities and a commercial container ship. Emergency restoration crews are currently working to repair damaged infrastructure across the affected regions.

Sources: France24, La Tribune, Libération, ORF, Tagesschau