Devastating Russian Airstrikes Leave Over 600,000 Without Power in Ukraine

Fri Dec 05 2025 10:47:43 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A series of Russian missile and drone attacks on Saturday caused significant power outages for more than 600,000 people in Ukraine, predominantly in the Kyiv region. This escalation comes as winter approaches and diplomatic efforts for peace continue.

A massive overnight assault by Russia on Ukraine has left over 600,000 residents, including more than 500,000 in Kyiv, without power after attacks targeted energy infrastructure. The strikes, involving around 36 missiles and nearly 600 drones, caused multiple injuries and fatalities. Ukraine's Air Force claims to have downed a majority of incoming threats. As tensions rise, Ukraine has remained resolute in its defense during the winter months.

More than 600,000 people in the Kyiv region of Ukraine were without power on Saturday morning after an overnight Russian attack.

Ukraine's energy ministry said more than 500,000 of these were in the capital itself, with the rest in the surrounding region. It attributed the power losses to missile and drone strikes on energy infrastructure in the city and several other regions.

Around 36 missiles and nearly 600 drones were launched on targets across Ukraine overnight, officials said, killing three and injuring dozens of others.

Russia has intensified attacks on Ukrainian civilian and energy infrastructure as the embattled nation heads into winter, despite US-led efforts to secure a peace deal.

Russia's defence ministry said it had launched a massive strike... against Ukrainian military-industrial complex enterprises and the energy facilities that support their operation.

Dtek Energy, which serves properties in Kyiv, said later on Saturday that power had been restored to more than 360,000 families.

As well as energy infrastructure, several residential buildings were also hit in the overnight strikes, Ukrainian officials reported.

Loud explosions were heard across Kyiv early on Saturday morning. Emergency services attended to burning blocks of flats damaged by the strikes.

Kyiv's Mayor Vitaly Klitschko confirmed that a 13-year-old child was among the 29 people injured in the capital city.

Ukraine's Air Force claimed to have shot down 558 of the drones and 19 of the missiles, highlighting the ongoing challenge of defending against aerial assaults.

Kyiv has been subjected to regular aerial bombardments since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022, with many residents facing recurring blackouts due to targeted strikes on energy infrastructure.

With temperatures forecast to plummet to 2C in Kyiv, the situation poses severe challenges for residents as winter approaches.

In retaliation, Ukraine has targeted Russian energy infrastructure using long-range weaponry to undermine Moscow's war financing.

On Saturday, Ukrainian forces reported successfully striking two oil tankers in the Black Sea thought to belong to Russia's "shadow fleet".

As diplomatic negotiations continue, including US-led talks seeking a peace draft, both sides remain entrenched in their positions with profound implications for the ongoing conflict.