Ukraine Condemns Russia New Year Drone Attack on Power Infrastructure | January 2026

Ukraine Condemns Russia’s New Year Drone Attack on Power Infrastructure

Kyiv | January 1, 2026 — Ukraine has strongly condemned a large-scale Russian drone attack that targeted critical power infrastructure across multiple regions on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2025. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the strikes a deliberate escalation in Russia’s ongoing conflict and urged the international community to provide Ukraine with advanced air defense systems and defensive equipment.

According to Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy, Russian forces launched over 200 drones targeting energy facilities in at least seven regions, including Volyn, Rivne, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv. While many drones were intercepted by Ukraine’s air defenses, some succeeded in hitting power grids and critical infrastructure, causing significant damage.

The attacks had an immediate impact on households. In Volyn Oblast, more than 103,000 residents were left without electricity, marking one of the largest outages following the drone assault. Emergency crews have been working around the clock to restore power, but the scale of the damage has delayed recovery.

President Zelenskyy stated that the attacks were intentional and not accidental. While the majority of drones were neutralized, the strikes targeted civilian infrastructure, disrupting daily life during the holiday period.

Ukraine’s Air Force reported that of the approximately 205 drones launched, 176 were destroyed or neutralized, but about 24 drones hit their designated targets, damaging electrical networks and power installations. These strikes worsened energy shortages and placed additional pressure on repair crews already handling winter demands.

The timing and scale of the attack have drawn international concern and condemnation. Analysts note that the incident demonstrates Russia’s willingness to continue targeting civilian infrastructure, even as peace talks and diplomatic efforts are underway.

Damage to energy infrastructure affects not only electricity supply but also heating, water, and essential services, especially during the winter months. Local authorities in Odesa and other affected regions reported fires and outages as technicians worked to repair damaged equipment and prevent further disruptions.

Several Western nations and global organizations have expressed support for Ukraine’s request for enhanced defensive assistance, emphasizing the need for advanced air defense systems to prevent future attacks.

In his address, President Zelenskyy also thanked Ukrainian soldiers and air defense crews for repelling most of the drones, but reiterated that Ukraine cannot face these threats alone. “We expect that defensive equipment agreed upon with our partners will arrive on time,” he said, highlighting Ukraine’s reliance on international support to counter Russia’s aerial assaults.

The New Year drone attacks on Ukraine’s power infrastructure highlight the ongoing humanitarian and civilian risks of the conflict. Despite diplomatic efforts and global pressure for peace, the situation underscores the urgent need for protective measures and international cooperation to safeguard critical services and civilians.