Russia targets Ukraine energy infrastructure with missile and drone strikes
Widespread power outages and heating failures have been reported across several Ukrainian regions following a second day of large-scale attacks.
Russia conducted a second day of extensive missile and drone strikes against Ukraine's energy and critical infrastructure, according to the Times of India. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia deployed 164 strike drones, including 112 jet-powered models, and three Kh-59/69 cruise missiles.
The attacks damaged energy facilities in the Dnipropetrovsk, Zhytomyr, Rivne, Kharkiv, Odesa, and Chernihiv regions. This resulted in rolling blackouts in central and northern Ukraine, with approximately 600,000 people in Dnipro city and the Dnipropetrovsk region losing electricity. In the Zhytomyr region, 140 high-rise buildings were left without heating.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) stated that Russia's winter 2026-27 strike campaign intends to disrupt civilian life and weaken energy security. Germany's Defence Minister Boris Pistorius noted that Berlin has exhausted the Patriot interceptor stocks available for transfer to Ukraine.
Kyiv has increased strikes on ballistic missile production facilities and Russian missile launch sites to limit Moscow's strike capabilities. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian defence ministry reported that October was the deadliest month for Russian forces, with total casualties approaching 1.6 million by November 2026.
In the Kherson region, Ukrainian officials alleged that Russian forces used a limited ceasefire near Oleshky to move over 1,000 personnel, weapons, and supplies across the Dnipro. Ukrainian military sources also claimed Russian forces are constructing tunnels to protect movement from drones.
