As October drew to a close in Ukraine, the country faced a fresh wave of adversity that tested both its infrastructure and its resolve. Beginning at midnight on October 31, 2025, scheduled power outages swept across every region, affecting residential neighborhoods and industrial enterprises alike. According to Finway, these outages were not a result of routine maintenance or seasonal adjustments, but rather a desperate response to an escalating crisis: three massive Russian missile and drone attacks had battered the nation’s energy system throughout the month.
The scope of these outages was significant. Energy specialists reported that restrictions on electricity supply varied in duration, from half a shift to as many as three shifts, with the most severe outages planned for the evening hours between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM—traditionally, the time of peak consumption. For industrial consumers, the limitations persisted throughout the day, aiming to reduce the strain on a grid already pushed to the brink. Dispatchers from the national energy operator, Ukrenergo, emphasized that the timing and extent of these outages could shift depending on the fluid operational situation. Citizens were urged to stay informed by monitoring official updates from local energy companies, a recommendation that soon became critical as the crisis deepened.
The reason for these drastic measures was clear. As representatives from Ukrenergo stated, “The reason for the restrictions is the consequences of three Russian massive missile and drone attacks on the energy system during this month.” The infrastructure damage was not limited to power lines and substations alone; it had a cascading effect, disrupting daily life, industrial activity, and even the safety of Ukraine’s nuclear facilities.
By November 1, some regions of Ukraine found themselves under even stricter electricity consumption restrictions, again due to the aftermath of the Russian attacks. As reported by the NEC press service of Ukrenergo, both residential and industrial consumers faced scheduled outages during the morning and evening peak hours—specifically from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM and from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM. During these windows, households experienced hourly outages while industrial consumers operated under power-usage restriction regimes. Ukrenergo warned that these schedules were subject to change and strongly encouraged citizens to use electricity sparingly when available. The message was simple but urgent: conserve power, and be prepared for sudden changes.
While millions coped with darkness and uncertainty, a more ominous threat loomed over the horizon. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) sounded the alarm on October 30, warning that Russian missile and drone attacks had jeopardized nuclear safety across Ukraine. According to the IAEA, the latest assault involved more than 650 drones and 50 missiles, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy detailed in a public statement. The attacks targeted not just civilian infrastructure but also critical energy facilities, including the South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant and those in Khmelnytskyi and Rivne.
Tragically, the human toll was immediate and severe. Ukrainian authorities reported at least six deaths, including a seven-year-old girl, and 18 people wounded—children among them, aged between two and sixteen. The attacks forced power outages and restrictions throughout the country, compounding the hardship faced by ordinary Ukrainians as the cold winter weather began to set in. As Suspilne and Reuters reported, the strikes damaged substations crucial to nuclear safety and security, prompting the IAEA’s Director General Rafael Grossi to warn, “The dangers to nuclear safety continue to be very real and ever-present.” He called for “maximum military restraint in the vicinity of nuclear facilities.”
The situation at Ukraine’s nuclear plants was especially precarious. The IAEA confirmed that both Khmelnytskyi and South Ukraine plants lost access to one of their external power lines following the attacks. Although backup systems remained operational, the loss of external power put additional stress on safety protocols. In a related move, the Rivne Nuclear Power Plant was forced to reduce the power output of two of its four reactors at the request of the national grid operator, highlighting the strain on the country’s entire energy infrastructure.
The crisis wasn’t limited to these facilities. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which had already been disconnected from the grid from September 23 to October 24, relied exclusively on emergency generators to keep its reactors cool—a situation that underscored the vulnerability of nuclear sites in active war zones. The IAEA continued to push for the creation of a safety and security protection zone around Zaporizhzhia, warning that without such measures, the risk of a major nuclear incident would only grow.
The attacks drew swift condemnation from Ukrainian officials. On October 31, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry denounced what it described as Russian attacks on substations vital to the safe operation of nuclear installations. In a statement cited by Reuters, the ministry said, “Deliberate strikes on civilian energy facilities that directly affect the safe operation of nuclear installations bear the hallmarks of nuclear terrorism and constitute a grave violation of international humanitarian law.” Ukraine called for increased international support to protect its energy infrastructure and safeguard nuclear safety.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko echoed these concerns, stating, “Russia continues its systematic energy terror — striking at the lives, dignity, and warmth of Ukrainians on the eve of winter. Its goal is to plunge Ukraine into darkness; ours is to keep the light on. To stop this terror, Ukraine needs more air defense systems, tougher sanctions, and maximum pressure on Russia.”
Meanwhile, the Russian defense ministry maintained that its “massive” missile and drone attack was aimed at Ukrainian military-industrial sites, energy infrastructure, and airbases. It also claimed to have downed 170 Ukrainian drones overnight, including dozens near its own borders. The ongoing hostilities have made it nearly impossible to distinguish between military and civilian targets, with each side accusing the other of actions that compromise the safety of Ukraine’s four working nuclear plants, especially Zaporizhzhia, which has remained under Russian control since early 2022.
International observers, including the IAEA, have repeatedly called for restraint and strict adherence to nuclear safety protocols. Director General Grossi’s message was unequivocal: “Threats to nuclear security are real and constantly present.” The agency’s advocacy for a safety zone around Zaporizhzhia and its insistence on the protection of all nuclear sites reflect the gravity of the situation. As the conflict escalates, so too does the risk of a catastrophic incident that could have consequences far beyond Ukraine’s borders.
As Ukraine endures another winter under siege, the resilience of its people and the vigilance of the international community will be tested anew. The coming weeks will reveal whether urgent calls for support and restraint can prevent the darkness from spreading further, both literally and figuratively.
