Russian strikes hit Ukrainian energy grid for second night

A second wave of Russian drone and missile strikes targeting Ukraine's energy grid has expanded power outages across eastern regions. Ukrainian authorities reported that more than 600,000 residents in the Dnipropetrovsk region and an additional 250,000 in Kharkiv were left without electricity following the latest overnight bombardment.

The strikes damaged critical facilities, forcing emergency backup generators to maintain cooling systems at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Moscow's Defense Ministry confirmed targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure as well as a container vessel.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strikes, which have heightened concerns over potential disruptions to heating, water, and power supplies as winter approaches. Energy operators warned that repair efforts remain ongoing while further widespread rolling blackouts remain possible.

Sources: La Tribune, Libération, ORF, Politico Europe (Defense), Tagesschau