Blackout hits four Ukrainian regions as Russian strike damage power grid

Hundreds of thousands of households across four Ukrainian oblasts lost power after Russian forces targeted energy infrastructure on the night of October 31 and into November 1. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the strikes hit substations, transformers, and power lines in Dnipropetrovsk, Vinnytsia, Zhytomyr, and Khmelnytskyi regions.

The latest assault follows a week of intense aerial bombardment. Zelenskyy stated that Russian forces launched 1,940 attack drones, more than 1,580 guided aerial bombs, and 44 missiles against Ukraine over the last seven days. Among the 44 missiles, 36 were ballistic types.

The President argued that Russia is attempting to exploit a current shortage of ballistic missile interceptors. He noted that Moscow is relying on ballistic missile strikes to damage infrastructure throughout the winter months. This approach forces Ukrainian air defense systems to operate at maximum capacity during cold weather.

Zelenskyy emphasized that recent defense commitments require immediate execution. He said the United States and European countries made new decisions this month on additional aid packages for Ukraine. However, he warned that these deliveries cannot take years to arrive.

Repair crews are currently on the ground restoring the electricity supply in the affected areas. In Vinnytsia, the strikes also damaged a mobile phone mast, windows in apartment blocks, and other civilian facilities. The President stated that every day, Ukraine communicates its need for Patriot missiles to America, Europe, and other partners who can provide support.

The strikes mark another phase in the conflict's impact on the civilian energy grid. Repair efforts continue as officials monitor the restoration process in the four damaged regions.