Over 800,000 without power in eastern Ukraine following Russian strikes on energy grid

Russian missile and drone strikes targeting Ukraine's energy grid over the weekend have left hundreds of thousands of residents without electricity across eastern regions.

According to Ukrainian authorities and grid operator DTEK, critical energy infrastructure sustained extensive damage. The disruptions affect more than 600,000 people in the Dnipropetrovsk region and roughly 250,000 in Kharkiv, intensifying concerns over heating and water access as winter temperatures drop. Additionally, the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant was forced onto emergency diesel generators to preserve reactor cooling systems after losing connection to external power.

Russia's Ministry of Defence acknowledged targeting Ukrainian energy facilities alongside a commercial vessel. Emergency repair crews are attempting to stabilize the regional network and restore power supplies.

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