Authorities across multiple regions and cities, including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Krivyi Rih and Zaporozhye, reported bombing attacks. Poltava and Kharkiv face power outages, with emergency cuts rolling out nationwide. A weather alert has been issued for Ukraine.
“Due to the strikes on power plants in various regions, emergency power outages are being enacted across the country,” said Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of the Office of the President of Ukraine. He urged residents to be patient with power cuts and fluctuations in heating and water supply. On Friday, temperatures in Kyiv and Kharkiv hover around 1°C, while Kharkiv and Zaporozhye are slightly warmer, near 3°C.
What’s happening in Kiev?
Vitaliy Klitschko, the mayor of the capital, announced explosions in the Dneprovskyi, Desnianskyi and Holosiivskyi districts. “All services are moving into their positions. Stay in shelters or bunkers,” the mayor posted on Telegram.
DTEK reported the onset of power cuts in the city and the start of emergency measures. Water shortages affected all districts, and subway traffic halted entirely. Klitschko noted that underground stations are functioning as refuges, or bunkers, during the outages.
The Kyiv regional military administration chief, Oleksiy Kuleba, stated that an air defense system was active in the region.
Destruction in Kharkiv and the surrounding area
The head of the Kharkiv regional administration, Oleg Sinegubov, said ten missile strikes hit the region. At about 7:00 am (8:00 Moscow time), a rocket struck the central city hospital in Kupiansk, damaging the infectious diseases department. Early information indicated there were no fatalities.
As a result of the attacks, Kharkiv lost power entirely, and the metro stopped. There are also reports of communication disruptions in the city. “All warmth points are open where people can warm up, charge phones, and get hot tea and internet access,” noted Mayor Ihor Terekhov. He urged residents to stay in shelters and added that the strikes targeted infrastructure, with the energy system bearing the brunt. Public institutions, together with power engineers, are working to restore services and mitigate damage.
Assault on Krivyi Rih
The Kryvyi Rih mayor, Oleksandr Vilkul, warned in advance that the city’s electricity would be preemptively cut to lessen the impact of the strikes. Critical infrastructure facilities were shifted from generators to electrical networks. “Damage occurred,” he said, referencing the strikes that affected the city.
Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of the Presidential Office, reported that a rocket struck a residential building in Krivyi Rih, destroying an entrance. Ukrainian media, quoting Valentin Reznichenko, head of the Dnipropetrovsk regional military administration, reported two deaths and six injuries, including two children. All injured were hospitalized. Two powerful blasts in Dnipro were also reported by UNIAN, with Strana Telegram channel noting queues at gas stations in the city. Mayor Boris Filatov urged residents to secure drinking water supply.
Poltava loses power
Ukrainian media reported a power outage in Poltava and Kremenchuk in the Poltava region. Mayor Oleksandr Mamai asked residents to conserve electricity and unplug nonessential appliances while the city awaits restoration. Poltava and surrounding areas faced heating disruptions, with Kremenchuk’s heating system affected by the outage. Mayor Vitaliy Maletsky urged residents to seal windows and preserve heat in any way possible.
Nationwide damage
Anatoliy Kurtev, the secretary of the Zaporozhye city council, reported twelve rocket strikes in Zaporozhye. Vitaliy Kim, governor of the Mykolaiv region, announced the deployment of air defense and noted missiles in the area, as did Vitaliy Bunechko, the Zhytomyr regional head. Dmitry Zhivitsky, head of Kherson regional administration, said electricity had been temporarily cut in Sumy due to missile strikes, while Andrey Raikovich reported that Kirovohrad region was fully de-energized. Many railway lines experienced outages because of damage to energy infrastructure. Officials said some railway routes would run with diesel locomotives until repairs are completed. Energy Minister Herman Galushchenko noted damage to energy facilities in the east and south, contributing to reduced power generation. Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ignat stated that more than 60 missiles had been launched at Ukrainian territory.
About missile attacks
The Russian Defense Ministry has not confirmed the morning attacks in Ukraine. Kyiv reported explosions earlier in the week and ongoing air defense activity, while Russia has not issued a comment. Since October, Ukraine has faced a series of missile strikes impacting water and power supplies. Ukrainian officials estimate significant damage to thermal and hydroelectric plants and high-voltage networks. The attacks followed an incident at the Crimean Bridge, which Russian officials attribute to Ukrainian security services. President Vladimir Putin described the events as responses to Ukraine’s actions, while Ukraine has maintained that the strikes target critical infrastructure and defense interests.