Ukraine's power grid near breaking point after Russian strikes

Russia has for several weeks been striking Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Ukrainian authorities and companies say the attacks are becoming more frequent, and residents in many regions are feeling the effects.

Emergency cuts and restrictions

On Tuesday 3 November 2026, the grid operator Ukrenerho said Russian forces had deliberately attacked energy facilities more than twenty times in a single day. The company said emergency power cuts were now necessary in several regions, including Kyiv. The Ukrainian prime minister said the same day that significant damage had been found at power plants in nine regions.

Most regions of the country face limits on electricity supply and on power use by industry. On 4 November, deputy energy minister Artem Nekrasov said nuclear power plants had been forced to reduce their output, and that a return to full capacity would be gradual as damaged networks are rebuilt.

Water, heating and a threat to a nuclear plant

During the overnight attack of 7 to 8 November, Russian missiles and drones struck infrastructure around Kyiv. According to Ukrainian authorities, around 600,000 customers in the Dnipropetrovsk region lost power. Kyiv's mayor, Vitali Klitschko, reported disruption to water and heating supplies, and Chernihiv was for a time left completely without electricity.

Energy minister Denys Shmyhal said that during the attack on the night of 2 to 3 November, three drones were sent at a substation crucial to the stable operation of the Khmelnytskyi nuclear power plant. Ukraine reported the attack to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Winter ahead

Ukrainian officials and the UK Foreign Office both point to another winter with limited power generation. Power cuts affect not only lighting and household appliances but also district heating and water supplies. The most difficult situation currently affects large cities and regions that are hit most often by missiles and drones.

What this means for you

The news does not change rules on residence, work, taxes or access to the NHS and schools in the UK. It does matter for people planning to travel to Ukraine. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office warns that attacks on the energy network may cause unscheduled blackouts or emergency power cuts with little notice. Travellers should check current travel advice before going.