Ukrainian counterattacks slow Russian advances amid energy grid strikes

Intense combat persists across the Ukrainian front, with Ukraine's General Staff reporting more than 150 daily combat engagements, focused heavily on the Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka sectors. According to Ukraine's Air Assault Forces Command, Russian offensive momentum has slowed significantly compared to earlier periods, though Russian forces recorded limited advances south of Dobropillia and within Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Concurrently, renewed Russian missile and drone strikes targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure triggered widespread blackouts. Over 600,000 residents lost electricity in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, while roughly 250,000 households were affected in Kharkiv Oblast. Heating disruptions were also recorded in parts of Kyiv and Zhytomyr Oblast.

Inside Russia, several regions instituted local fuel sales restrictions to combat growing shortages after Ukrainian strikes hit eight major oil refineries over a two-week span.

Sources: Belsat, NEXTA, The Insider, Радіо Свобода, Українська правда.