Russian strikes leave hundreds of thousands without power across eastern Ukraine

Russian aerial attacks targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure over the weekend left hundreds of thousands of residents without electricity across eastern regions.

Local authorities and regional utility providers reported that over 600,000 people lost power in the Dnipropetrovsk region, while an estimated 250,000 were affected in Kharkiv following consecutive nights of drone and missile strikes. Energy provider DTEK confirmed significant damage to critical facilities. Additionally, external power disruptions forced the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to temporarily rely on emergency diesel generators to maintain essential cooling operations.

Russia's Ministry of Defence stated its forces targeted Ukrainian energy installations and a commercial container vessel. Ukrainian officials warned that sustained bombardments risk severe disruptions to heating and water supplies as winter approaches.

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