A large-scale missile and drone attack by Russia has caused substantial power outages in five Ukrainian oblasts, prominently impacting the city of Odesa. This attack has specifically targeted energy facilities, leading to significant disruptions in electricity and heating supply for thousands of consumers. In addition to Odesa, other affected regions include Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kharkiv, reflecting the ongoing strain that these regions are under due to the conflict.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Energy has reported that cities such as Sumy and Odesa are experiencing heating supply issues, exacerbating the hardships faced by the population during the colder months. In response to the attack, Ukrenergo, the state-owned electricity transmission operator, has commenced emergency repair work where the security environment allows, indicating the challenging conditions under which these repairs are being attempted. Moreover, there has been a notable decrease in electricity consumption, with usage reported to be 5.9% lower compared to the previous day, largely a result of the growing number of consumers left without power.

This latest Russian offensive is part of an ongoing series of attacks aimed at debilitating Ukraine’s energy resilience, especially as the conflict continues through winter. The reliance on emergency measures underscores the vulnerability of Ukrainian infrastructure in the face of sustained aggression, which not only disrupts daily life but also raises critical concerns regarding public safety and security amidst the geopolitical tensions in the region.