Russian Missile and Drone Strikes Trigger Widespread Power Outages in Kyiv, Dnipro and Kharkiv

Ukrainian authorities reported that a coordinated wave of Russian missile and drone attacks struck the capital, Kyiv, as well as the major regional centres of Dnipro and Kharkiv on Thursday evening. The assaults, which also hit several smaller towns in the surrounding oblasts, caused extensive damage to the electrical grid, leaving large portions of these cities without power for several hours.According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Energy, the strikes targeted key substations and transmission lines, disrupting the supply of electricity to residential neighbourhoods, hospitals, schools and industrial facilities. In Kyiv, more than half of the city’s districts experienced blackouts, while in Dnipro and Kharkiv authorities said that up to 70 % of the population was temporarily cut off from the grid.Emergency crews were dispatched immediately to assess the damage and begin repairs. Backup generators were activated at critical infrastructure sites, and the National Police launched a city‑wide alert to keep civilians safe amid the ongoing threat of additional attacks. Local officials urged residents to conserve any remaining electricity and to avoid unnecessary travel until the situation stabilised.No immediate reports of civilian casualties were confirmed, though some injuries were recorded among first‑responders working to extinguish fires ignited by the strikes. The Ukrainian military said it intercepted a number of the incoming drones, but several managed to reach their intended targets.President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks as “deliberate attempts to cripple civilian life and undermine Ukraine’s resilience,” and called on international partners to increase support for the country’s energy security. In response, several European allies pledged expedited delivery of spare transformers, mobile power units and technical assistance to help restore the affected networks.As repair teams continue to work through the night, officials estimate that full restoration of power in the hardest‑hit areas could take up to 48 hours. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian government has urged citizens to remain vigilant, follow official safety instructions, and report any suspicious activity as the conflict’s intensity shows no sign of abating.