Russian Strikes Cause Widespread Power Outages in Ukraine

Between Oct. 21 and 22, Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone campaign that struck energy and port infrastructure across multiple Ukrainian regions — including Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv — leaving tens to hundreds of thousands without power, interrupting water supplies and delaying trains. Chernihiv was hit particularly hard, with Shahed drones and ballistic missiles causing a citywide blackout, water shortages and at least four civilian deaths, including a 10-year-old in Novhorod-Siverskyi; later repairs restored power to some areas where security allowed. Repair crews have been hampered by continued bombardment and reports of Russian drones circling damaged sites to impede fixes, prompting emergency rolling power cuts nationwide. Authorities set up “invincibility” points with stoves and generators and rerouted electricity from western and central regions to sustain critical services. Analysts say the strikes appear aimed at degrading generation region-by-region ahead of winter, and European leaders have urged using current front lines as a basis for any peace talks amid renewed diplomatic engagement.