Russia launched a large-scale drone attack overnight, striking gas transport and energy infrastructure across six Ukrainian regions. The assault left more than 100,000 people without electricity, Ukrainian officials confirmed on Wednesday.
The energy ministry said gas transport systems in Poltava were badly damaged, while equipment at a key substation in Sumy region was destroyed. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy added that residents in Poltava, Sumy and Chernihiv were among those who suffered immediate power cuts.
Ukraine Battles Energy Shortages Amid Russia Drone Attack
Ukraine’s gas production facilities, located mainly in Poltava and Kharkiv, have become regular targets. Both regions were hit again, alongside Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk. The energy ministry accused Moscow of deliberately trying to cripple civilian infrastructure “ahead of the heating season.”
Officials said the situation has pushed Ukraine into deeper shortages after earlier Russian missile strikes reduced gas production by nearly 40%. Energy authorities reported that since March 2025, Ukrainian power and gas facilities have faced more than 2,900 attacks.
Hospitals and Water Systems Rely on Backup Power
In Sumy, Governor Volodymyr Kohut said electricity was briefly cut to all consumers before partial restoration. However, large parts of the city remain in darkness. Water utility plants and hospitals are currently dependent on emergency generators to continue operating.
Serhii Kryvosheienko, head of the Sumy military administration, confirmed that health facilities were using backup sources to keep critical equipment running. “We are relying on emergency power to sustain services,” he said.
Ukrainian Air Defenses Intercept Drones
Ukraine’s Air Force said it had downed 74 out of 95 drones launched during the Russia drone attack, but acknowledged that 21 drones reached their targets across nine locations. Authorities described the scale of the attack as one of the heaviest in recent weeks.
Russia has continued to insist it does not target civilians, claiming instead that energy and infrastructure are “legitimate military targets.” Ukrainian officials strongly reject this, arguing the strikes are aimed at worsening living conditions for ordinary people.
Bottom Line
The latest Russia drone attack once again left more than 100,000 Ukrainians without power and intensified fears of a worsening humanitarian crisis before winter. While Ukraine’s defenses intercepted most drones, the damage to gas and energy infrastructure highlights how vulnerable the country remains. As officials scramble to restore supply, the strikes underline that Moscow is determined to weaponize energy shortages as part of the war strategy.
