Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, has reconnected power to over 800,000 residents following a barrage of Russian missile and drone strikes that plunged much of the country into darkness late on Friday. The coordinated attacks, described as among the largest on Ukraine’s energy network since the war began, marked yet another attempt by Moscow to cripple the nation’s power grid ahead of the bitter winter months.
Ukraine’s largest private energy company, DTEK, confirmed on Saturday that “the main work to restore the power supply” had been completed. However, it added that some localised outages continued in parts of Kyiv, where infrastructure had been severely damaged by the strikes.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said the assault represented “one of the largest concentrated strikes” against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, underscoring the renewed intensity of Russia’s winter strategy, to break public morale by targeting essential services.
Russian missiles and drones injured at least 20 people in Kyiv, damaged residential buildings, and disrupted power supplies to multiple regions. Emergency teams worked through the night to repair substations and reconnect major transmission lines.
Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed responsibility for the strikes, saying its forces had targeted “energy facilities supplying Ukraine’s military.” The ministry said Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and strike drones were used in the operation but gave no details of the specific locations hit.
Ukraine’s air force reported that its defences intercepted or jammed 54 of the 78 drones launched overnight. “Our air defence systems prevented an even greater catastrophe,” a Ukrainian military spokesperson said. Meanwhile, Russia’s defence ministry claimed to have shot down 42 Ukrainian drones over its territory, suggesting that both sides continue to intensify aerial operations.
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The latest bombardment follows a familiar pattern. Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion over three years ago, Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has been repeatedly targeted during the autumn and winter seasons. Each year, Moscow’s forces have sought to destroy the grid before the coldest months — an effort seen as part of a broader psychological and humanitarian offensive.
Winter temperatures across Ukraine often drop below freezing between late October and March, with January and February being the harshest. The renewed attacks, therefore, are widely perceived as an attempt to weaken the population’s resilience and strain the country’s already stretched emergency systems.
International reaction was swift. The leaders of Britain, France, and Germany held a joint phone call on Friday, agreeing to step up support for Ukraine by leveraging frozen Russian assets. In a statement released by the German government, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said they would act “in close cooperation with the United States.”
The joint move, the leaders said, would “increase pressure” on Russian President Vladimir Putin and “bring Russia to the negotiation table.” Their commitment reflects a growing consensus among Western allies to sustain Ukraine’s defence and recovery despite the protracted nature of the conflict.
Energy officials in Kyiv have warned that while power has been largely restored, the grid remains vulnerable. DTEK engineers have been working around the clock to stabilise voltage levels and secure key substations. The company urged residents to conserve energy as the network undergoes further repairs.
Friday’s onslaught marks a renewed phase in Russia’s war strategy, one that aims not merely at military targets but at the endurance of Ukrainian society itself. Yet, the swift restoration of power in Kyiv stands as a testament to the country’s resilience and the determination of its engineers, soldiers, and citizens to keep the lights burning against overwhelming odds.
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