Residents across Ukraine woke up on November 27, 2025, to a familiar but no less jarring reality: widespread power outages and the hum of emergency repair teams racing against the clock. In a coordinated assault spanning several regions, Russian forces struck Ukrainian energy facilities, triggering rolling blackouts and a renewed sense of urgency among both officials and everyday citizens. According to the Ministry of Energy, the attacks targeted key infrastructure, leaving local outages in their wake and prompting emergency power cuts, particularly in the Kharkiv, Sumy, and Poltava regions (as reported by Censor.NET and Ukrainska Pravda).
"The enemy has conducted strikes on energy facilities in several oblasts over the past day, which has led to local power outages in some areas by the morning," Ukraine's Energy Ministry confirmed, echoing the grim reality faced by millions. The ministry emphasized that emergency repair work was ongoing, with crews working non-stop to restore power to the population and critical services. The urgency was palpable: rolling and emergency power cuts were implemented in Kharkiv, while other regions followed hourly outage schedules and restrictions for industrial consumers and businesses. These measures, posted on the official websites of regional distribution operators, were designed to stabilize the fragile energy system under duress.
The assaults were hardly isolated incidents. Over the previous 24 hours, Russian forces launched a barrage of attacks using a combination of missiles and drones. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that its armed forces had conducted precision strikes against Ukrainian energy facilities, transportation infrastructure, and ammunition plants in 143 locations. At the same time, Russian air defense claimed to have shot down six guided aerial bombs, four U.S.-made HIMARS rockets, and an astonishing 154 fixed-wing drones. These claims, while impossible to independently verify in real-time, underscore the scale and intensity of the ongoing conflict (as reported by various international outlets).
For Ukraine, these attacks are far from unprecedented. Just three years ago, in 2022, the country experienced a near-total blackout after a wave of Russian strikes. Yet, as Vitalii Zaichenko, Chairman of the Board of NEK Ukrenergo, explained during a national telethon, the nation has learned from those dark days. "We have already experienced the worst-case scenario and know what it entails. The aggressor’s goal is to completely cut off the power system, to bring it to a blackout. This happened in 2022, but at that time, we managed quite quickly, although, of course, no one was prepared for such massive attacks. Currently, Russia’s goal is the same – to leave Ukraine without electricity and water – but we are better prepared now, both Ukrenergo and the power plants," Zaichenko said.
Preparation has taken many forms. Engineering protection and air defense have been bolstered, and detailed procedures for personnel are now in place to keep the grid stable even as missiles and drones rain down. "Power outages in Ukraine have also decreased because the pace of restoring energy facilities is quite high. At the same time, energy specialists have the necessary backup equipment provided by partners," Zaichenko added, highlighting both domestic resilience and international support.
Nevertheless, the threat remains acute. On the night of November 25, Russian forces unleashed another massive strike, this time with 14 missiles and over 430 drones, according to the Ministry of Energy. The attack specifically targeted key elements of the energy system, aiming to maximize disruption as winter approaches. Ukrainian air defense managed to destroy 92 out of 142 drones of the Shahed, Gerbera, and other types, but some still found their marks, causing damage that rippled through the grid and into the daily lives of Ukrainians.
The response from authorities has been swift but measured. In Kharkiv, emergency power cuts were implemented from midnight to 11:59 p.m., while other regions adhered to hourly outage schedules and industrial power restrictions. Importantly, the Energy Ministry urged citizens to limit their electricity use and avoid unnecessary consumption during peak hours—a call for collective resilience in the face of adversity. "Energy specialists are working to restore a stable power supply as soon as possible," Ukrenergo stated, promising that emergency cuts would be lifted once the system stabilized.
But the conflict is not one-sided. On the same day that Russia reported its attacks, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced a retaliatory strike on the VNIIR-Progress plant in Cheboksary, Russia. This facility manufactures components for combat drones and missiles—key elements in Russia’s arsenal. While the full extent of the damage was still being assessed, the move signaled Ukraine’s capacity and willingness to strike back at strategic targets. Ukrainian drones also reportedly hit a command post of Russia’s 58th Combined Arms Army in Vasylivka, targeted a Tor-M1 surface-to-air missile system in Mariupol, and attacked a Russian troop assembly point in the Pokrovsk direction.
These tit-for-tat strikes have become a defining feature of the conflict’s new phase, where infrastructure—particularly energy—is both a weapon and a target. For Ukraine, the stakes are existential. The loss of electricity does not merely inconvenience; it threatens hospitals, water supplies, heating, and the very fabric of society, especially as winter’s chill sets in. For Russia, striking at Ukraine’s energy grid is a way to sap morale, disrupt logistics, and pressure the government in Kyiv.
Yet, the Ukrainian response has been characterized by both technical ingenuity and a spirit of shared sacrifice. Emergency repair teams, often working through the night under dangerous conditions, have become unsung heroes. Their work is supported by international partners who have supplied backup equipment and technical expertise. Meanwhile, ordinary citizens are adapting to the new normal—checking outage schedules, conserving power, and supporting one another through community networks.
As the conflict grinds on, both sides are recalibrating their strategies. Russia continues to employ a mix of missiles and drones, testing Ukrainian defenses and seeking weak points. Ukraine, in turn, is leveraging improved air defense, rapid repair protocols, and targeted strikes against Russian military-industrial assets. The result is a high-stakes battle not only for territory but for the infrastructure that underpins modern life.
Looking ahead, the possibility of a complete blackout remains a worst-case scenario—one that Ukraine’s energy sector is determined to avoid. As Zaichenko put it, "We are better prepared now," but vigilance and adaptability remain crucial. For now, the lights may flicker, but Ukraine’s resolve burns brighter than ever.
