Russia carried out a large-scale overnight attack on Ukraine’s energy and civil infrastructure, launching more than 450 drones and in excess of 30 missiles, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
At least one child was killed in Zaporizhzhia and more than 20 people were injured nationwide, according to initial figures. Power and water supplies were disrupted across multiple regions as emergency crews began repairs.
Zelenskyy reported the strikes in a statement on Telegram on Friday morning, describing the assault as “cynical and calculated” and targeted at facilities that underpin daily life. He said restoration work was under way at “many critical infrastructure facilities” and that all injured people were receiving assistance. Local authorities in Zaporizhzhia confirmed the death of a seven-year-old boy.
The Air Force and regional officials reported widespread blackouts after the attacks, with outages affecting Kyiv as well as parts of Kyiv, Donetsk, Chernihiv, Cherkasy, Kharkiv, Sumy, Poltava, Odesa and Dnipropetrovsk regions. Repairs were also reported in Zaporizhzhia, Kirovohrad and Kherson regions. In the Ukrainian capital, teams worked to restore electricity and water supplies during the morning.
Emergency services said fires broke out in residential buildings in Kyiv following drone and missile impacts and falling debris. City authorities reported at least a dozen injuries in the capital, while evacuations took place from multi-storey blocks. Nationally, energy operators introduced emergency shutdowns as they assessed grid damage and re-routed supply.
Ukraine’s initial air defence tallies indicated that a large proportion of incoming aerial targets were intercepted or suppressed, though the scale of the attack still caused significant disruption to power generation and distribution. Independent tallies published later in the morning described one of the most extensive overnight bombardments of the energy sector since the start of the autumn season, with Kyiv experiencing outages on both banks of the Dnipro River.
Zelenskyy said that civil and energy infrastructure remains a principal target as the cold season approaches. He called for accelerated deliveries of air defence systems and further sanctions, urging coordinated action by the United States, European partners, the G7 and the G20. “The world can protect itself from these crimes,” he said, adding thanks to partners already providing assistance.
Energy companies reported damage at generation and distribution assets. Naftogaz and private operators have warned repeatedly in recent weeks that sustained strikes risk worsening supply shortfalls during colder weather, and have sought additional equipment for repairs as well as defensive kit to protect facilities. Analysts noted that repeated attacks have forced Ukraine to rely on rolling restrictions while crews replace transformers and repair substations.
Local administrations issued public safety notices overnight as air-raid alerts sounded in many regions. In Kyiv, residents were advised to remain in shelters during periods of active air defence and to avoid photographing impact sites. In several oblasts, emergency services cordoned off damaged areas while structural checks were conducted. The State Emergency Service circulated images showing firefighters tackling blazes and clearing debris.
By mid-morning, authorities said repair crews had restored some services, though grids remained under strain. Operators cautioned that stabilisation schedules could continue through the day, with priority given to critical infrastructure such as hospitals and water utilities. Transport services reported delays but said most operations were continuing.
The strikes follow a pattern of intensified pressure on the power system seen in recent weeks, with increased use of drones to probe air defences and target substations and thermal plants. Ukrainian officials have said such attacks are designed to degrade the grid and complicate preparations for winter. Calls for additional air defence interceptors, short-range systems to protect energy sites, and rapid-procurement repair equipment have been reiterated to partners.
Ukraine’s government has stated that it will continue to diversify generation and strengthen decentralised capacity to reduce vulnerability to concentrated strikes. Plans include mobile generation, expanded battery storage, and dispersed renewable assets where feasible. However, officials caution that large thermal and hydro facilities remain essential and are difficult to shield completely from massed attacks.
