Emergency power restoration efforts in the Rostov region have progressed after outages caused by severe weather. The update came via the Telegram channel of the Russian Ministry of Energy, outlining the steps taken to reconnect affected customers and the current status of the grid.
By 22:00 Moscow time, electricity remained unavailable to some communities. In particular, approximately 123.9 thousand people in the Donetsk People’s Republic and 102.3 thousand in the Lugansk People’s Republic were still without power. The message notes that urgent restoration work was ongoing, with crews mobilized to address widespread damage and resume service as quickly as safety permits.
Since December 15, worsening weather has triggered a significant rise in outages across several districts, leaving about 679 thousand residents without electricity at peak demand. Utility teams have been working through the night to clear lines, repair infrastructure, and restore critical services for homes, hospitals, and businesses alike.
Earlier, Evgeny Grabchak, Deputy Minister of Energy, acknowledged that certain regions faced interruptions in electricity supply caused by adverse weather. He indicated that decisions affecting the pace and scope of restoration could be made through midweek as conditions evolved and more data became available for planning.
On December 17, Energy Minister Nikolai Shulginov stated that repair work was actively underway to restore electricity in frost-affected regions. The efforts focused on Crimea, the Rostov and Krasnodar regions, and the LPR and DPR, with teams coordinating across sectors to expedite recovery while prioritizing critical needs and public safety.
Ahead of ongoing weather warnings, authorities stressed the importance of reliability and resilience in power systems, reinforcing the public message that restoration strategies would adapt to changing conditions and broader meteorological forecasts. The situation highlights the challenges that harsh winter weather presents to utility grids and the concerted actions required to return normal service to all affected communities, including those in neighboring and allied regions across the broader area. (Source: Telegram channel of the Russian Ministry of Energy)