Russia Hits Ukraine’s Power Network Again, Leaving Over A Million Without Electricity

Last Updated:January 24, 2026, 16:57 IST

Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said more than 800,000 people in Kyiv and about 400,000 residents in the northern Chernihiv region were left without power.

Ukraine was under air raid alert during the Russian attack as the military authorities warned of incoming drones and ballistic missiles. (Courtesy: AFP)

Russia launched another large-scale overnight attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure early on Saturday, an incident that triggered explosions across Kyiv and cut electricity to around 1.2 million homes nationwide.

In the Ukrainian capital, nearly 6,000 buildings were left without heating by morning as temperatures fell to around minus 10 degrees Celsius.

Many residents were already struggling with cold homes due to earlier strikes that had damaged the city’s central heating system.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said one person was killed in the attack and four others were injured, three of whom were taken to the hospital.

In Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, 19 people — including a child — were wounded.

The strikes came as US-brokered talks involving Russia and Ukraine continued for a second day in the United Arab Emirates, though there were no signs of progress on Friday.

Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said more than 800,000 people in Kyiv and about 400,000 residents in the northern Chernihiv region were left without power following the latest assault.

According to a statement by Ukraine’s air force, Russia fired 375 drones and 21 missiles overnight, including two Tsirkon ballistic missiles, which are rarely used.

Air defence systems were active across Kyiv, lighting up the night sky with flashes as explosions echoed through residential areas.

Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, said several districts were hit and confirmed that a medical facility was among the damaged buildings.

Ukraine’s power grid has been under sustained attack since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.

This winter has seen the most intense campaign so far against energy facilities, leaving many Ukrainians with electricity for only a few hours a day, and some without heating or water.

Kyiv had already faced two major overnight attacks since the start of the year, which disrupted power and heating supplies to hundreds of apartment blocks.

Emergency crews were still repairing damage from those strikes when Saturday’s attack occurred.

Klitschko said several buildings that lost heating had only recently had services restored.

Mayor Ihor Terekhov said at least 25 drones struck multiple districts in Kharkiv, which is located just 30 kilometres from the Russian border.

He informed that the attacks damaged a dormitory housing displaced people and two medical facilities, including a maternity hospital.

Emergency services across the country continued restoration work on Saturday as residents braced for further disruptions amid freezing winter conditions.

News world Russia Hits Ukraine’s Power Network Again, Leaving Over A Million Without Electricity

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