Russian attacks left Ukraine's southeastern regions of Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia almost entirely without power, the country's energy ministry said on Wednesday night.
Critical infrastructure was 'operating on reserve power', it said in a statement on Telegram, while officials reported disruptions to water supplies and internet services.
Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure in an effort to paralyze power supplies during the harsh winter.
'Ukraine's energy system is under enemy attacks every day, and energy workers are operating in extremely difficult conditions to provide people with light and heat,' stated Ukraine's Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko on Telegram.
'Deteriorating weather conditions put additional strain on critical infrastructure,' she added.
The attacks come amidst plunging temperatures, leading to extensive power and heating disruptions across the affected areas. Emergency restoration work is set to begin as soon as the security situation allows, according to state energy company Ukrenergo.
Dnipro city Mayor Borys Filatov confirmed that all city hospitals have switched to generators to maintain essential services, while the availability of water supplies is being ensured through alternative power sources.
School holidays have been extended until January 9 due to the ongoing power cuts, underscoring the severity of the situation.
Despite the difficult circumstances, authorities are making every effort to restore power; the head of the Zaporizhzhia regional administration, Ivan Fedorov, reported continued efforts to reestablish water utilities.
DTEK, Ukraine's largest private energy provider, remains in a state of crisis due to persistent attacks on the grid, with CEO Maxim Timchenko noting that the relentless strikes leave little time for recovery.
As the anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion approaches, the situation appears increasingly precarious, compounded by a lack of clear security guarantees from European allies, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky.
