Massive Russian attack leaves hundreds of thousands in Kyiv without power and heat
During the night of December 27, Russia carried out one of its largest attacks on Ukraine’s energy and civilian infrastructure since the start of the full-scale war. Kyiv and the surrounding region were the primary targets. As a result, hundreds of thousands of residents were left without electricity, and a significant portion of the capital lost heating in freezing winter conditions.
Source: Ministry of Energy
Nearly 500 drones and dozens of missiles target Ukraine’s energy system
According to Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy, Russian forces launched nearly 500 attack drones and around 40 missiles, including Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missiles. The strikes continued not only overnight but throughout the day.
The attacks caused serious damage to power substations, high-voltage transmission lines, and electricity generation facilities. Emergency power outages were introduced in Kyiv and the region, while rolling blackouts remain in effect across much of the country.
Over half a million people without electricity
As of 3:00 p.m. local time, more than 500,000 consumers in Kyiv and the Kyiv region remained without power. Outages were also reported in other regions; in Chernihiv region alone, more than 22,000 households were left without electricity.
The Ministry of Energy emphasized that Ukraine’s unified power system remains intact and continues to operate in synchronization with the continental European grid. Electricity imports and consumption restrictions are being used to stabilize the system.
More than 40% of Kyiv’s residential buildings without heating
In addition to electricity outages, the attack caused severe disruptions to heating.
According to Oleksii Kuleba, more than 40% of residential buildings in Kyiv, as well as parts of the Obukhiv district in Kyiv region, were left without heat.
To accelerate repairs, additional municipal crews were deployed. Water supply has already been restored in Kyiv and the region, and alternative power sources are being used while systems are gradually restarted and pressure levels normalize.
Repairs continue under constant air raid alerts
Energy workers and utility services are operating in emergency mode, but restoration efforts are complicated by ongoing air raid alerts and the threat of renewed strikes.
Earlier reports confirmed fires, falling debris, and direct hits on residential buildings and infrastructure across several districts of Kyiv. Civilians were injured.
