Zelensky accuses Russia of preparing a “nationwide power outage” in Ukraine ahead of winter

Russia attacked more than 15 key energy infrastructure facilities in Ukraine on the night from Friday to Saturday, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced. The strikes targeted electricity generation and transmission facilities in several regions, while Kyiv maintains that Moscow is seeking to cause widespread disruptions to electricity and heating supplies ahead of winter.

According to the figures presented by Zelensky, between October 16 at 19:00 and October 17 at 07:00, Russian forces used more than 320 drones, including Shahed drones and loitering munitions, as well as cruise and ballistic missiles. The attacks affected energy infrastructure, as well as several Ukrainian cities and communities.

Emergency response teams and energy company employees are working in several regions to assess the damage and restore supplies. The Ukrainian president says air defenses are intercepting a significant portion of the attacks, but their scale and frequency continue to cause serious consequences.

Zelensky claims that Russia is seeking to leave millions of people without electricity and heating during the cold season. He urged international partners to maintain pressure on Moscow and criticized the suspension of certain U.S. sanctions provided for under the law known as the “Lindsey Graham Act.”