Russia launched a large-scale assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure early Friday, October 10, causing widespread power outages across Kyiv and several regions, according to senior Ukrainian officials.
President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strikes as a “deliberate and ruthless attack,” stating that Russia deployed more than 450 drones and over 30 missiles targeting critical energy and civilian facilities. He warned that Moscow’s strategy is to cut off Ukrainians from heat and electricity as winter approaches, aiming to “plunge us into darkness, without water and warmth.”
Ukrainian authorities reported that energy facilities, including gas production and distribution sites, have been under near-daily attack since late September. The latest wave of strikes caused heavy damage and civilian casualties. A 7-year-old boy was killed in Zaporizhzhia, and dozens were injured nationwide, including at least 12 people in Kyiv.
The strikes resulted in major power disruptions. In the Kyiv region, around 28,000 households in the Brovary and Boryspil districts lost electricity, while parts of the capital’s left bank suffered outages in both power and water. Poltava saw over 16,500 homes and 800 businesses affected, with similar issues reported in Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Zaporizhzhia.
DTEK Group, Ukraine’s largest private energy company, confirmed its power plants were directly targeted for the third time in a week, leaving equipment heavily damaged and one worker injured.
Emergency crews documented widespread destruction, releasing footage of firefighters tackling intense flames in Kyiv and evacuating residents. Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk assured the public that repair crews are working urgently to reduce the impact of the attacks.
