On January 10, 2026, Kyiv residents gathered near heating tents set up by the State Emergency Service as their homes were left without heating due to strikes on critical infrastructure. The situation in Ukraine’s capital has become increasingly dire following a series of Russian attacks targeting the nation’s energy systems.

Deputy Energy Minister Mykola Kolisnyk stated on January 13 that Russia is intensifying efforts to dismantle Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. He highlighted that the latest attack occurred just five days after a previous strike, indicating a deliberate strategy to cripple the energy supply. As a result, approximately 70% of Kyiv is currently without electricity.

Ukrenergo, the state-owned grid operator, reported that Moscow’s forces are attempting to disconnect the city, exacerbating the already severe power shortages. The attacks come as temperatures are forecasted to drop to -22 degrees, further endangering residents.

Ballistic missile explosions were reported in Kyiv at around 1:10 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. local time on January 13. Suburbs such as Bucha, Hostomel, and Irpin were left without power and water, with emergency outages affecting Kyiv and its surrounding areas.

Vitaliy Zaichenko, CEO of Ukrenergo, confirmed that several substations were targeted, leaving a significant portion of the city without electricity. He warned of potential future attacks involving cruise missiles.

DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private energy company, reported another attack on its thermal power plant, marking the eighth such incident since October. The energy crisis has forced supermarket chains like Novus and Silpo to close some stores in Kyiv, and the city’s electric tram service has been replaced with buses.

Russia’s recent offensive included 18 ballistic missiles, seven cruise missiles, and 293 Shahed-type drones, targeting energy infrastructure in Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts. A combined missile and drone attack near Kharkiv resulted in four deaths and six injuries.

Earlier, on January 9, a mass missile and drone attack in Kyiv killed four and injured 24, leaving the city without essential services. As of January 12, efforts to restore power continue, with 800 residential buildings still without electricity.

Olena Pavlenko, president of the DiXi Group, emphasized the unprecedented impact of these attacks, noting that the current winter is the harshest faced by Kyiv residents. The ongoing crisis underscores the resilience of the community and the importance of continued support for independent journalism.

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