In a severe escalation of attacks on civilian infrastructure, Russian drone strikes have triggered a massive power outage across southern Ukraine, leaving entire regions without electricity during winter conditions. Officials confirmed on Thursday that the Zaporizhzhia region experienced a complete blackout for four hours—the first total power loss since the invasion began—while over 600,000 households in Dnipropetrovsk remained without electricity into the afternoon.
The systematic targeting of energy facilities represents Moscow’s continued strategy of ‘weaponizing winter’ against civilian populations, denying basic heating and utilities as temperatures drop. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks as militarily unjustified, emphasizing their devastating humanitarian impact.
These developments unfold against complex diplomatic maneuvers. Zelenskyy revealed that a security agreement with the United States stands ‘ready to be finalized,’ potentially to be signed alongside President Donald Trump. This agreement, designed to deter future Russian aggression, would only take effect following a peace settlement. Meanwhile, Ukraine has presented peace options to U.S. officials for potential discussion with Moscow, though Russia shows no public willingness to compromise.
The human cost continues to mount beyond power outages. Russian ballistic missiles struck apartment buildings in Kryvyi Rih, injuring ten people with one in critical condition. Russia’s Defense Ministry meanwhile claimed to have intercepted 66 Ukrainian drones over various territories, including annexed Crimea and adjacent seas.
Zelenskyy has urgently called for enhanced international pressure on Moscow and warned citizens of potential new massive attacks, urging vigilance toward air raid alerts in coming days.