On December 9, 2025, the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv found itself plunged into darkness, with roughly half of its residents left without electricity following a fresh wave of Russian missile and drone attacks on the country’s vital energy infrastructure. The situation, described by Ukraine’s energy ministry as “one of the most difficult,” has become emblematic of the country’s ongoing struggle to maintain basic utilities amid relentless assaults on its power grid.
According to the Global Banking and Finance Review and corroborated by Reuters, Russian forces have sharply increased both the number and intensity of attacks on Ukraine’s gas and energy infrastructure in recent months. These strikes have specifically targeted power generation facilities and electricity transmission systems, resulting in widespread outages that have left millions grappling with rolling blackouts, emergency power cuts, and the loss of essential services like heating and water.
“The situation in Kyiv remains one of the most difficult – currently, up to 50% of consumers in the capital are without electricity,” the energy ministry stated on Telegram. For residents of Kyiv and the surrounding region, this grim reality has meant receiving electricity for only about 10 hours out of every 24 over the past week. The outages have not only darkened homes, but have also crippled heat and water supplies, leaving many to endure freezing winter nights with limited means to stay warm or hydrated.
Ukraine’s power grid operator, Ukrenergo, has been forced to restrict electricity supplies to consumers, effectively plunging entire regions into darkness. On December 9, the national grid operator implemented emergency power cuts across most Ukrainian regions, scrapping previously announced outage schedules and leaving cities, including Kyiv, with little warning before the lights went out. The unpredictability of these blackouts has added to the anxiety and disruption already felt by ordinary Ukrainians.
The country’s energy system is particularly vulnerable because it relies heavily on three nuclear power plants, which together produce more than 50% of Ukraine’s electricity. However, these plants have been forced to reduce production due to damage sustained by power lines during the attacks. This reduction in output has exacerbated the energy shortage and made it even harder to meet the needs of the population.
As the crisis deepened, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced a series of new measures aimed at alleviating the strain on the battered power grid. Speaking on December 9, Svyrydenko revealed that Ukraine would introduce stricter restrictions on power usage and permit additional energy imports for the first time during the war. “Additional lighting for buildings, streets, parks, decorative garlands, and outdoor advertising in city centres are not a priority during this difficult period for the energy sector,” Svyrydenko said on X, formerly known as Twitter, as reported by Reuters.
These new rules mean that the list of facilities entitled to uninterrupted power has been further shortened. Only hospitals, schools, critical infrastructure, and defense industry enterprises are now exempt from the rolling blackouts. For everyone else – from businesses to ordinary households – the message is clear: conserve energy wherever possible.
To help stabilize the grid, the government has authorized state companies to begin importing electricity from neighboring countries. “This will reduce the strain on Ukraine’s power grid and stabilize the load during peak hours,” Svyrydenko explained. The hope is that these imports, combined with stricter conservation measures, will help Ukraine weather the ongoing assault on its energy system.
The impact of these measures is already being felt on the ground. Decorative lighting and outdoor advertising have disappeared from city centers, casting urban landscapes into an unfamiliar gloom. Residents have been urged to unplug non-essential devices, minimize their use of electric appliances, and brace for longer periods without power. For many, the darkness has become a symbol of both vulnerability and resilience.
“For weeks, citizens in many Ukrainian regions have already been facing rolling blackouts and emergency power cuts,” Reuters reported. The cumulative effect of these outages has been profound. Businesses have been forced to close or reduce hours, schools have struggled to maintain normal operations, and families have had to adapt to life by candlelight. The cold winter weather has only intensified the hardship, as the loss of electricity often means the loss of heat.
The government’s decision to prioritize critical infrastructure and defense industries underscores the seriousness of the situation. Hospitals, in particular, have been given special protection to ensure that life-saving equipment remains operational. But for most residents, the reality is stark: the coming weeks are likely to bring more darkness, more cold, and more uncertainty.
While the Ukrainian government and its international partners work to repair damaged infrastructure and secure new energy imports, the threat of further attacks looms large. Russian forces have shown little sign of relenting, and each new strike brings fresh challenges for utility workers racing to patch up the grid. The resilience of the Ukrainian people – their willingness to adapt, conserve, and support one another – has become a defining feature of daily life in Kyiv and beyond.
Yet, there are glimmers of hope amid the gloom. The rapid rollout of energy-saving measures and the approval of electricity imports represent a determined effort to keep the country running, even under the harshest conditions. The government’s clear communication about priorities and expectations has helped many citizens prepare for what lies ahead, and there is a growing sense of solidarity as communities come together to share resources and support the most vulnerable.
Looking ahead, the situation remains precarious. The energy ministry and Prime Minister Svyrydenko have both emphasized the need for continued vigilance and cooperation. As the attacks continue, the ability of Ukraine’s energy sector to adapt and recover will be crucial. For now, Kyiv stands as a city in partial darkness – a stark reminder of both the costs of war and the enduring strength of its people.
Even as the lights flicker and the future remains uncertain, Ukraine’s determination to persevere is undimmed. The coming days will test the limits of that resolve, but for now, the people of Kyiv are doing what they have always done: finding ways to endure, together, in the face of adversity.
