Russia launched another large-scale attack on Ukraine’s power grid overnight, plunging parts of the country into darkness and forcing emergency power outages, Ukrainian officials reported on Friday.
“This is yet another act of terror. The energy sector across Ukraine has been hit hard again,” said Ukraine’s energy minister, German Halushchenko, in a Facebook post. While the full extent of the damage is still unclear, he urged people to stay in shelters as the situation unfolds.
In Kyiv, the capital, streets were eerily quiet Friday morning as air raid alerts warned of potential missile strikes, including ballistic and cruise missiles. Meanwhile, Ukrenergo, the operator of Ukraine’s power grid, announced emergency power cuts nationwide to cope with the damage.
The assault is part of an intensified Russian campaign targeting Ukraine’s infrastructure as the war drags into its third winter. Last month, President Vladimir Putin threatened further attacks using nuclear-capable ballistic missiles after a strike left over a million Ukrainian homes without power.
This latest attack follows Moscow’s promise of retaliation for a Ukrainian strike on a southwestern Russian city, where Russia claimed six U.S.-made ATACMS missiles were used. Ukraine acknowledged hitting Russian military and energy targets earlier in the week but did not specify what weapons were involved.
As the conflict escalates, the U.S. has stepped in with additional support, announcing a $500 million aid package that includes military equipment pulled directly from American stockpiles. According to a senior official, the Biden administration is pushing to deliver as many weapons as possible to Ukraine in its final weeks in office, aiming to strengthen Kyiv’s position as it prepares for 2025.
With winter setting in and attacks ramping up, the resilience of Ukraine and its people is once again being tested. The battle for survival—and stability—continues.
