UPDATE: A devastating wave of Russian strikes has left 1 million residents in southern Ukraine without heat or water as of January 8. The attacks, which targeted critical civilian infrastructure in the Dnipropetrovsk region overnight, have prompted urgent responses from Ukrainian officials.
Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba confirmed that utility providers are working tirelessly to restore services to affected areas. By mid-morning, power was restored to approximately 200,000 customers in Dnipropetrovsk; however, officials warn residents to stockpile water and use batteries sparingly as full restoration could take time.
In addition, electricity disruptions affected thousands in Zaporizhzhia, but power has since been restored there as well. President Volodymyr Zelensky reported ongoing restoration efforts in surrounding cities—including Kamianske, Kryvyi Rih, Nikopol, and Pavlohrad. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “Restoration work has been going on non-stop since last night—crews from all over the region are working.”
Zelensky condemned the strikes as lacking any military rationale, aimed solely at creating suffering during the harsh winter months. “There is no military sense in such strikes on the energy sector, on infrastructure, which leave people without electricity and heating,” he stated. The President urged his fellow Ukrainians to remain resilient, appealing for continued support from Western partners in the form of air defense shipments.
The latest attacks coincide with a sustained Russian campaign targeting Ukraine’s electric power grid, escalating as winter sets in. Reports indicate that this strategy, aimed at depriving Ukrainians of essential heating, has intensified recently, with gas wells, storage facilities, and pipelines also under assault.
As the crisis unfolds, authorities are working to assess the full extent of the damage caused by these attacks. The urgency of restoring essential services cannot be overstated, as the winter conditions pose serious risks to those left without heat.
For now, residents are urged to remain vigilant and prepare for potential extended outages. The situation is developing rapidly, and updates will follow as more information becomes available.
