As Ukraine and Russia brace for another harsh winter, the war’s front lines have shifted from the battlefield to the electrical grid, with both nations’ civilians caught in the crossfire of relentless attacks on critical infrastructure. Over the past week, a new wave of strikes has left millions grappling with blackouts, disrupted services, and a mounting sense of vulnerability as temperatures plunge.
According to Ukrenergo, Ukraine’s national grid operator, the morning of October 23, 2025, dawned with a familiar but grim reality: hourly power outage schedules were in effect across twelve regions, including Kharkiv and Chernihiv. These outages, running from 07:00 to 23:00, were triggered by a series of large-scale Russian missile and drone attacks on October 22, which targeted generation facilities and transmission systems. The result? Up to three power lines could be disconnected at once, with limits imposed on electricity use for both industry and business.
"Due to the impact of previous Russian strikes, including the large-scale missile and drone attack on the power system on October 22, hourly electricity outage schedules involving up to three simultaneous groups are being implemented today from 07:00 to 23:00 across twelve regions. Power consumption limits for industrial and commercial users are also being applied in these areas," Ukrenergo stated, as reported by Ukrinform. The operator urged citizens, "If you currently have electricity, please minimize the use of high-power appliances until 23:00."
Repair crews have mobilized swiftly, but their work is often delayed by ongoing security concerns. The situation in Kharkiv and Chernihiv is especially dire, with fresh outages reported following nighttime strikes on energy infrastructure. The mass attack on October 22 forced emergency power cuts nationwide, and scheduled hourly outages began at 16:00 that day in all regions previously affected by emergency outages, according to Ukrainska Pravda.
The consequences stretch far beyond inconvenience. In Chernihiv, a city of nearly 280,000 people just two hours from Kyiv, the blackout has forced reliance on emergency backup power and disrupted water distribution. Veronika Velch, Amnesty International Ukraine’s Director, painted a stark picture: "This morning, Chernihiv — a city of nearly 280,000 people just two hours from Kyiv — woke up to a complete blackout after a series of Russian strikes on the region’s energy infrastructure. With temperatures dropping close to freezing overnight, Russia’s strikes will make life unbearable for civilians as we have seen time and again."
Velch emphasized the disproportionate impact on vulnerable groups: "These attacks disproportionately affect the civilian population, particularly vulnerable groups including children, older people, and hospital patients who depend on uninterrupted power and water supplies." She called the destruction of Ukraine’s energy system "unlawful," arguing that "intentionally depriving civilians of electricity, heating and water is a clear violation of international humanitarian law." Amnesty International has consistently documented how the widespread targeting of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure may constitute war crimes and creates life-threatening humanitarian conditions.
As the blackout in Chernihiv followed earlier attacks that cut power for tens of thousands, residents faced the immediate challenge of securing water, keeping warm, and caring for the sick and elderly. The destruction of energy infrastructure, Velch warned, "means entire communities are left without essential services. Children are unable to continue their education and, as attacks continue, more families are forced to abandon their homes." She urged the international community to act urgently to support the humanitarian needs of Chernihiv’s residents and to ensure accountability for those responsible.
The scale of the assault on Ukraine’s energy grid is staggering. During the night leading up to October 23, air defense forces neutralized 92 of 130 drones targeting Ukraine, with drone strikes recorded at 11 locations. Despite these efforts, the sheer volume of attacks has overwhelmed defenses and left many regions in the dark. According to Suspilne and other Ukrainian outlets, the need for energy conservation has never been more critical.
But the cycle of retaliation has not been one-sided. Across the border in Russia’s Belgorod region, residents are now experiencing the war’s fallout in ways once reserved for their Ukrainian neighbors. BBC News Russian reports that Ukrainian drone attacks on Belgorod have surged nearly fourfold since January, with over 4,000 drones recorded in September alone. In late September, missile alerts and explosions caused blackouts in Belgorod city after strikes hit the main heat and power plant and a substation. By the next day, around 77,000 people—about 5% of the region’s population—remained without electricity, and another major blackout struck less than a week later.
For many in Belgorod, the war is no longer a distant headline. Nina, a local resident, described the terror: "It’s so loud and so terrifying. I was coming back from the clinic when a siren went off. As usual, I received Telegram alerts about a drone attack. Then bursts of automatic gunfire broke out, I ran into a nearby courtyard and tried to hide under an arch." Another resident, Natalya, recounted, "Complete darkness outside. Apartment blocks are without power, the shops are dark too. As you ride through the darkness, it’s hard to tell where your stop is—you can’t see anything."
Belgorod has become a key logistics corridor for Russian forces and a frequent launch point for artillery and drone strikes into Ukraine. The city was largely spared from power cuts until this autumn, but the escalation of Ukrainian drone and missile attacks—some involving lightweight "Darts" drones and possibly heavier weapons like Himars rockets—has changed that. Authorities have called on residents to buy their own generators, but fuel shortages, exacerbated by Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries, have made this a daunting task.
Ukrainian officials have not shied away from linking these attacks to Russia’s bombardment of their own cities. President Zelensky, speaking earlier this month, remarked, "Maybe they should stop being too comfortable there in Belgorod? They must understand: if they want to leave us without power, then we will do the same."
The sense of anxiety is palpable on both sides of the border. In Belgorod, Yakov summed up the mood: "Until September, the war seemed to have faded into the background again. But now we are getting constant reminders—through power outages, fuel shortages, and a general sense of anxiety. I personally have a strong feeling that, by continuing the war, Russia is racing headlong toward the abyss."
As the war enters another winter, the battle for the grid shows no sign of abating. Civilians in both Ukraine and Russia now face the daily realities of blackouts, disrupted services, and an uncertain future, all while leaders on both sides dig in for a long, cold season ahead.