On February 26, reports emerged of significant power outages affecting parts of six Ukrainian oblasts—Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Poltava, and Kharkiv—following a large-scale assault on Ukraine's energy infrastructure by Russian forces. The attack disrupted electricity supply, leaving many residents without power. The Ukrainian Ministry of Energy confirmed that emergency repair operations commenced wherever safety permitted, highlighting the urgent need to restore the damaged infrastructure amidst the ongoing conflict.

As of the reporting date, the regions affected were experiencing hourly power outages, and many businesses had to adjust their operations according to power limitation schedules established by the energy suppliers. This incident underscores the ongoing impact of the war on Ukraine's critical infrastructure, which has been a consistent target in the conflict. The Ministry of Energy urged residents to stay updated via official channels regarding power distribution and outages.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the recent attacks, noting that Russian forces specifically targeted gas infrastructure in Poltava Oblast, as well as electricity substations in Kyiv and Dnipropetrovsk. These tactics are part of an ongoing campaign to undermine Ukraine's energy independence and disrupt everyday life for civilians, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis within war-torn regions. The need for quick restoration of services is vital as the country prepares for continued challenges during the harsh winter months ahead.