Russia has carried out what Ukrainian energy officials describe as the heaviest attack this year on the country’s power and heating systems, striking multiple regions during one of the coldest periods of the winter and leaving large numbers of civilians without heat.
Ukraine’s largest private energy provider, DTEK, said the overnight barrage of missiles and drones caused severe disruption to the national energy network, forcing the system to operate under what it called “serious restrictions.” Power plants and heating facilities were hit in Kyiv and several other cities, compounding damage from previous waves of attacks.
The strikes came as temperatures in parts of the country fell to around minus 20 degrees Celsius, intensifying the humanitarian impact. In Kyiv alone, local officials said heating was cut to more than 1,000 apartment buildings following damage to key infrastructure. In the eastern city of Kharkiv, one power plant was reported to have sustained destruction so extensive that it cannot be restored.
President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attacks, accusing Moscow of deliberately escalating the conflict rather than pursuing a diplomatic resolution. He said Russia was choosing to apply pressure through fear and destruction and urged Ukraine’s allies to increase political, economic, and military pressure on the Kremlin.
End of Energy Truce and Renewed Strikes
The assault followed the expiration of a temporary arrangement aimed at limiting strikes on energy infrastructure, an initiative announced earlier by former US President Donald Trump after discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. That understanding expired over the weekend, and Ukrainian officials say the latest attack underscores Moscow’s lack of commitment to restraint.
The timing of the strikes also coincided with a visit to Kyiv by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who was in the capital to meet with President Zelensky and address Ukraine’s parliament. Diplomatic efforts remain ongoing, with Russian and Ukrainian delegations expected to hold another round of US-coordinated talks in Abu Dhabi later this week.
Despite these diplomatic channels, Ukrainian officials say the scale and intensity of the latest bombardment suggest that Russia is pursuing military pressure rather than compromise.
Hours-Long Air Raid and Heavy Weapons Use
Explosions were reported in Kyiv shortly after midnight, triggering an air raid alert that lasted more than seven hours. Multiple subsequent detonations were heard across the city as air defense systems attempted to intercept incoming threats.
President Zelensky said Russian forces launched more than 70 ballistic and cruise missiles during the attack, along with approximately 450 drones. Ukrainian officials said the drones were used to overwhelm air defenses, allowing missiles to penetrate protective systems and strike their targets.
Ukraine’s Air Force reported intercepting 38 missiles, indicating that a significant number reached critical infrastructure. Officials have repeatedly warned of shortages in air defense interceptors, particularly US-supplied Patriot missiles, which play a central role in defending major cities.
In a statement posted online, Zelensky emphasized that the timely delivery of air defense systems and munitions is essential to maintaining civilian life and national security, warning that without sustained pressure on Russia, the conflict would continue indefinitely.
Civilian Impact and Infrastructure Damage
Energy officials confirmed that two additional DTEK-operated power plants were struck overnight, including a facility in Odesa. The company said this marked the ninth large-scale attack on the energy sector since October. State-run facilities in Kyiv, Dnipro, and other regions were also damaged, adding to an already strained system.
According to DTEK, some of the facilities targeted were used exclusively to supply heating rather than electricity, serving residential areas during winter conditions. International humanitarian law prohibits attacks on civilian infrastructure, and Ukrainian officials have argued that such strikes may constitute violations of the Geneva Conventions.
Repeated attacks have made repairs increasingly difficult. Engineers have been working around the clock for weeks, often redeployed from other regions, to restore damaged systems. While these teams have been widely praised for their efforts, officials acknowledge there are not enough workers or resources to fully meet demand.
Life Without Heat
Residents in affected areas described living for days or even weeks without reliable heating. Many sleep fully clothed, wearing hats and heavy coats indoors and layering blankets to combat the cold. Power outages lasting several hours have further complicated daily life.
Community kitchens and volunteer-run soup stations have become an essential source of hot meals for people unable to cook at home. Local authorities say demand for such services has surged as temperatures remain low and infrastructure damage persists.
Ukrainian officials believe the attacks are intended to erode public morale and pressure civilians to turn against the government in Kyiv, potentially forcing concessions over territory in eastern Ukraine, including areas of the Donbas region that Russia does not fully control.
However, interviews with residents suggest the strikes have instead hardened public attitudes. Many expressed anger toward Russia and opposition to any settlement perceived as rewarding aggression.
One Kyiv resident said she believed the attacks were designed to make life unbearable, but insisted that people would endure rather than give in. Others described seeking temporary shelter in schools or public buildings equipped with generators to maintain warmth overnight.
Fires and Injuries
Emergency services reported damage to several residential buildings during the attack. Falling debris from intercepted missiles and drones sparked fires in multiple locations, injuring several civilians. Firefighters and rescue crews worked through the night to contain blazes and assist those affected.
As winter conditions persist and energy infrastructure remains vulnerable, Ukrainian authorities continue to appeal for additional air defense support from international partners, warning that further large-scale strikes could deepen the humanitarian crisis in the weeks ahead.