Russian Air Attack Knocks Out Power for Millions in Ukraine | January 24, 2026

Russian Air Assault Cripples Ukraine’s Power Grid, Leaving Millions Without Electricity

On January 24, 2026, Russia carried out a large-scale air assault on Ukraine, directly targeting the country’s energy and heating infrastructure. The attack caused widespread power outages across multiple regions, leaving millions of civilians without electricity and heating during one of the coldest periods of winter. In several areas, temperatures had already dropped to around minus 10 degrees Celsius, significantly worsening the humanitarian situation.

According to Ukrainian authorities, approximately 1.2 million residential and commercial units lost electricity immediately after the strikes. The capital city, Kyiv, was among the worst-affected areas, where more than 800,000 residents experienced complete power outages. In the northern Chernihiv region, nearly 400,000 consumers were also cut off from electricity. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that around 6,000 residential buildings lost central heating, placing elderly residents, children, and patients at severe risk.

Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russia used an exceptionally intense combination of weapons during the assault, including 375 attack drones and 21 missiles. Among them were two advanced Zircon hypersonic missiles, rarely used in previous strikes. These weapons were specifically aimed at high-value energy targets such as power substations, heating plants, transmission lines, and urban infrastructure. The coordinated nature of the attack caused serious damage to Ukraine’s national power grid and disrupted energy distribution on a large scale.

Civilian casualties were also reported. In Kyiv, at least one civilian was killed, while several others sustained injuries. The eastern city of Kharkiv suffered particularly heavy damage, with more than 19 people injured, including a child. Dozens of drone strikes hit residential buildings, dormitories, medical facilities, and even a maternity ward, highlighting the severe human cost of the assault. Emergency services responded immediately, but rescue efforts were hampered by ongoing air-raid threats and extreme cold.

The timing of the attack drew strong international criticism. The strikes occurred while diplomatic contacts and indirect peace efforts between Russia and Ukraine were underway in Abu Dhabi, facilitated by the United States. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described the assault as a deliberate attempt by President Vladimir Putin to undermine diplomacy, stating that attacks on civilian energy infrastructure during negotiations reveal clear pressure tactics.

Energy experts say the assault is part of Russia’s long-standing strategy to weaken Ukraine during winter by targeting essential services. Ukrainian officials confirmed that emergency power rationing has been introduced nationwide, with some regions receiving electricity for only a few hours per day. In certain areas, water supply systems were also disrupted, pushing daily life close to paralysis.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy once again urged Ukraine’s international partners to urgently supply additional air-defense systems. He stated that deliberately leaving civilians in freezing temperatures without power or heating constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law. According to the president, thousands of energy sector workers are operating around the clock to restore electricity and heating despite the constant risk of renewed attacks.

The latest Russian air assault has once again demonstrated that the war in Ukraine is no longer confined to the battlefield. Civilians have become the primary victims, facing darkness, cold, and insecurity. The widespread power outages and infrastructure damage have deepened the humanitarian crisis, making the winter of 2026 one of the most challenging periods for Ukraine since the war began.